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2011-12 AND 2012-13
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S
RULES
Sportsmanship is a core value of the NCAA.
The NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship
and Ethical Conduct has identified respect
and integrity as two critical elements
of sportsmanship and launched an awareness
and action campaign at the
NCAA Convention in January 2009.
Athletics administrators may download materials and view best practices at the website below:
www.NCAA.org, then click on “Student-Athlete
Programs,” then “Sportsmanship” and select the
“Resources/Best Practices” tab.
2012 & 2013 NCAA
MEN’S AND
WOMEN’S
BASKETBALL
RULES
Sportsmanship
The primary goal of the rules is to maximize the safety and enjoyment of the
student-athlete. Sportsmanship is a key part of that goal. Sportsmanship should
be a core value in behavior of players and bench personnel, in crowd control by
game management and in the officials’ proper enforcement of the rules governing
related actions.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
[ISSN 1042-3877]
THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222
317/917-6222
www.ncaa.org
AUGUST 2011
Manuscript Prepared By: Art Hyland, Secretary-Rules Editor, NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules
Committee; and Debbie Williamson, Secretary-Rules Editor, NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules
Committee
Edited By: Ty Halpin and Rachel Seewald, Associate Directors of Playing Rules Administration.
NCAA, NCAA logo and NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION are registered marks
of the Association and use in any manner is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the
Association.
COPYRIGHT, 1974, BY THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Contents
NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee��4
NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee��6
Men’s and Women’s Rules Changes for 2012 & 2013��8
Men’s Major Officiating Concerns��12
Women’s Major Officiating Concerns��12
Significant Editorial Changes��13
Sportsmanship Statement��14
Preface��14
Rules Supplements��15
Court and Equipment��15
Important Information for Manufacturers of New Equipment/Apparel��16
Court Diagram��18
3-Foot Restricted Area Arc Diagram��19
Official NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules
Rule 1—Court and Equipment��20
Backboard Diagram��22
Shot-Clock Diagram��27
Rule 2—Officials and Their Duties��28
Rule 3—Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment��38
Uniform Diagram��41
Rule 4—Definitions��45
Rule 5—Scoring and Timing Regulations��66
Rule 6—Live Ball and Dead Ball��75
Rule 7—Out of Bounds and the Throw-in��78
Rule 8—Free Throw��82
Rule 9—Violations and Penalties��85
Rule 10—Fouls and Penalties��91
Appendixes
Fight-Reporting Procedures��105
Appendix I
NCAA Tobacco Policy��106
Appendix II
Appendix III Officiating Guidelines��107
Coach and Bench Decorum��107
Screening��107
(Women) Displacement��108
(Men) Post Play�� 110
(Men) Hand-Checking�� 110
Appendix IV Foul/Penalty Chart�� 111
Appendix V
Major Rules Differences�� 116
Appendix VI Timeout Comparison Chart��120
Appendix VII Concussions............................................................................123
Appendix VIII Official Men’s Basketball Signals��125
Appendix IX Official Women’s Basketball Signals��135
Index��144
3
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Rules Committee
Chair
John Dunne
Division I
St. Peter’s College
201/761-7330
Term expires: 9-1-13*
Secretary-Rules
Editor
Art Hyland
774/487-0640
Adam Brick
Division I
George Mason
University
703/993-9117
abrick@gmu.edu
Term expires: 9-1-12*
Rick Byrd
Division I
Belmont University
615/460-6263
byrdr@belmont.edu
Term expires: 9-1-15*
Mark Corino
Division II
Caldwell College
973/618-3260
mcorino@caldwell.edu
Term expires: 9-1-15*
Scott Eaton
Division II
Northern Kentucky
University
859/572-6539
eatons@nku.edu
Term expires: 9-1-12*
Karl Hicks
Division I
Atlantic Coast
Conference
336/854-8787
khicks@theacc.org
Term expires: 9-1-15*
James Molinari
Division I
Western Illinois
University
309/298-1224
jr-molinari@wiu.edu
Term expires: 9-1-14*
art.hyland@comcast.net
Term expires: 5-10-14
*Not eligible for reappointment.
4
NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee5
Gerald Myers
Division I
Texas Tech University
806/742-3355
Term expires: 9-1-12*
Robert Passage
Division III
Kalamazoo College
269/337-5804
rpassage@kzoo.edu
Term expires: 9-1-13*
Ed Silva
Division III
Elms College
413/265-2328
silvae@elms.edu
Term expires: 9-1-15*
Ken Wagner
Division II
Brigham Young
University, Hawaii
808/675-3764
wagnerk@byuh.edu
Term expires: 9-1-12*
James Zalacca
Division III
State University of
New York at Potsdam
315/267-2314
zalaccja@potsdam.edu
Term expires: 9-1-14*
*Not eligible for reappointment.
NCAA Women’s
Basketball
Rules Committee
Chair
Leslie Claybrook
Division I
Rice University
713/348-5829
claybrook@rice.edu
Term expires: 9-1-12*
Secretary-Rules
Editor
Debbie Williamson
910/658-3731
williamsondebbie
@yahoo.com
Term expires: 9-1-14*
Barbara Burke
Division I
Eastern Illinois
University
217/581-2319
baburke2@eiu.edu
Term expires: 9-1-14*
Mary Ellen Burt
Division III
Union College (NY)
518/388-6546
burtm@union.edu
Term expires: 9-1-12*
John Dzik
Division III
Piedmont College
706/778-3000
jdzik@piedmont.edu
Term expires: 9-1-14*
Joe Foley
Division I
University of Arkansas,
Little Rock
501/569-3036
dmarsh@northwood.
edu
Term expires: 9-1-10*
*Not eligible for reappointment.
6
NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee7
Tanya Haave
Division II
Metropolitan State
College of Denver
303/556-8462
thaave@mscd.edu
Term expires: 9-1-15*
Carolyn Jenkins
Division I
West Coast Conference
650/873-8622
cjenkins@@westcoast.
org
Term expires: 9-1-14*
Curt Miller
Division I
Bowling Green State
University
419/372-7070
millerc@bgsu.edu
Term expires: 9-1-13*
Don Mulhern
Division III
University of
Wisconsin, Superior
715/395-4672
dmulhern@
uwsuper.edu
Term expires: 9-1-13*
Jamie Pewinski
Division II
Saginaw Valley State
University
989/964-7312
jlpewins@svsu.edu
Term expires: 9-1-14*
Michael Shafer
Division I
University of
Richmond
804/289-8355
mshafer@richmond.
edu
Term expires: 9-1-15*
Tom Shirley
Division II
Philadelphia University
215/951-2720
shirleyt@philau.edu
Term expires: 9-1-14*
*Not eligible for reappointment.
Men’s Changes for 2012 and 2013
Each changed or altered segment is identified in the rules text by a blue shaded
background.
Court and Equipment. 1-3.4. In summary, all shadow lines must be clearly
discernable and distinguishable.
Court and Equipment. 1-6.3. It is highly recommended that the area of the freethrow lane inside the boundary lines be one color. It is permissible for this area to be
more than one color as long as all required lines in and around the lane are clearly
discernable and distinguishable.
Court and Equipment. 1-8. The restricted area arc is a solid single-colored
2-inch line formed by a semicircle measured from the center of the basket to the
outside edge with a radius of 3-feet and extending in a straight line to the front
face of the backboard. This arc must be clearly discernable and distinguishable.
Officials and Their Duties. 2-4.2. At least one official must remain on the floor
once jurisdiction begins.
Officials and Their Duties. 2-12.6. An appeal for a correctable error may be
made by a head coach, table official (includes an approved standby official) or
game official. This appeal must be honored and reviewed by an official
Officials and Their Duties. 2-13.2.d.1.b. A coach may request a monitor
review to determine if any of the fouls in 2-13.2.d.1 occurred. When no such foul
is assessed, a timeout shall be charged to that team
Players, Substitutes and Equipment. 3-4.1.e. Substitutions between periods
shall be reported to the official scorer by the substitute(s) or a team representative
before the signal that ends the intermission rather than before the warning horn.
When the substitute(s) has not reported before the final horn to end the intermission,
then the five players from the previous period shall begin the next period.
Players, Substitutes and Equipment. 3-5.4.c. For the purposes of defining the
neutral zone, the shoulder panel shall be measured from the top of the shoulder/
shoulder seam and extend a maximum of 5 inches toward the bottom of the game
jersey on both the front and back
Players, Substitutes and Equipment. 3-5.5.e. In summary, a colored neckline
not to exceed 1 inch in width is permitted within the neutral zone.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment. 3-5.9. An institutional and/or conference
logo meeting the restrictions of Rule 3-8.2 is permitted on the game shorts.
Definitions. 4-29.2.c. In summary, flagrant 1 personal foul replaces the term
intentional personal foul.
Definitions. 4-29.2.c.6. In summary, contact with an elbow that occurs above the
shoulders of an opponent when the elbows are not swung excessively per 4-36.7.a
is a flagrant 1 personal foul and results in two free throws and the ball awarded to
the offended team (2010-2011 rule change).
Definitions. 4-29.2.d. In summary, flagrant 2 personal foul replaces the term
flagrant personal foul.
Definitions. 4-29.3.f. In summary, flagrant 2 technical foul replaces the term
flagrant technical foul.
8
Men’s Changes for 2012 and 20139
Timeout Administration, 4-57.2. If a team is not ready to play at the second
horn during a timeout, officials are instructed to formally warn that team on the
first offense. On the second and subsequent offenses, the official shall make the ball
ready for play (e.g., put the ball on the floor and begin the count).
Scoring and Timing regulations. 5-13. In summary, permit all games to use
the electronic-media timeout format regardless of whether there is paid advertising
present.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-1.12. A secondary defender as defined in Rule 4-61
cannot establish initial legal guarding position in the restricted area for the purpose
of drawing a player control foul/charge when defending a player who is in control
of the ball (i.e., dribbling or shooting) or who has released the ball for a pass or try.
When illegal contact occurs within this Restricted Area, such contact shall be called
a blocking foul, unless the contact is a flagrant foul.
a. When illegal contact occurs by the offensive player leading with a foot or
unnatural, extended knee, or warding off with the arm, such contact shall
be called a player-control foul.
b. When a player in control of the ball stops continuous movement toward
the basket and then initiates illegal contact with a secondary defender in
the restricted area, this is a player control foul.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-1 Penalty f. Point of interruption for any double
personal fouls or simultaneous personal fouls unless only one of the fouls is a
flagrant foul in which case, play shall be resumed with a throw-in to the offended
team at the point of interruption.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-2.1.b Have the proper game-clock display, red/LED
light and mounted shot clock as in Rules 1-18.3, 1-18.4 and 1-19.3.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-2.2.a Penalty. When there are administrative technical
fouls by both teams for violating 10-2.2.a, the fouls shall offset with no free throws
awarded to either team.
Women’s Changes for 2012 and 2013
Each changed or altered segment is identified in the rules text by a blue shaded
background.
Court and Equipment. 1-3.4. In summary, all shadow lines must be clearly
discernable and distinguishable.
Court and Equipment. 1-6.3. It is highly recommended that the area of the freethrow lane inside the boundary lines be one color. It is permissible for this area to be
more than one color as long as all required lines in and around the lane are clearly
discernable and distinguishable.
Court and Equipment. 1-7.1. From the center of the basket to the outside edge
of the three-point field-goal line, the line shall be a distance of 20 feet, 9 inches.
Court and Equipment. 1-8. The restricted area arc is a solid single-colored
2-inch line formed by a semicircle measured from the center of the basket to the
outside edge with a radius of 3-feet and extending in a straight line to the front
face of the backboard. This arc must be clearly discernable and distinguishable.
Officials and Their Duties. 2-4.3. For women, at least one official shall arrive
on the floor 15 minutes before the start of the game. At least one official must
remain on the floor once jurisdiction begins
Officials and Their Duties. 2-7.9. Silently and visibly count seconds to
administer throw-in, free-throw, (men) back-court, and closely guarded rules,
(women) closely guarded when holding the ball (only) and silently count for
enforcement of the three-second rule.
Officials and Their Duties. 2-12.6. An appeal for a correctable error may be
made by a head coach, table official (includes an approved standby official) or
game official. This appeal must be honored and reviewed by an official
Officials and Their Duties. 2-13.2.d.1. Determine if a flagrant 2 personal or
a flagrant 2 contact technical foul occurred or (women) flagrant 1 personal foul
for illegal contact with an elbow above the shoulders of an opponent or a contact
dead ball technical foul for illegal contact with an elbow above the shoulders of
an opponent. When it is determined that a flagrant 2 contact technical foul did not
occur but a flagrant 1 personal foul, or contact dead ball technical foul did occur,
those fouls shall be penalized accordingly. However, no other infractions may be
penalized
Officials and Their Duties. 2-13.2.d.1.a Permit the review of flagrant fouls until
the ball becomes live.
Officials and Their Duties. 2-13.2.d.1.b. A coach may request a monitor
review to determine if any of the fouls in 2-13.2.d.1 occurred. When no such foul
is assessed, a timeout shall be charged to that team
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment. 3-4.1.e. Substitutions between periods
shall be reported to the official scorer by the substitute(s) or a team representative
before the signal that ends the intermission rather than before the warning horn.
When the substitute(s) has not reported before the final horn to end the intermission,
then the five players from the previous period shall begin the next period.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment. 3-5.4.c. For the purposes of defining the
neutral zone, the shoulder panel shall be measured from the top of the shoulder/
shoulder seam and extend a maximum of 5 inches toward the bottom of the game
jersey on both the front and back.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment. 3-5.5.e. In summary, a colored neckline
not to exceed 1 inch in width is permitted within the neutral zone.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment. 3-5.9. An institutional and/or conference
logo meeting the restrictions of Rule 3-8.2 is permitted on the game shorts
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment. 3-8.4. Commemorative/memorial
patches meeting the size restrictions of 3-8.2 are permitted on socks.
Definitions. 4-29.2.c. In summary, flagrant 1 personal foul replaces the term
intentional personal foul.
Definitions. 4-29.2.c.6. In summary, contact with an elbow that occurs above the
shoulders of an opponent when the elbows are not swung excessively per 4-36.7.a
is a flagrant 1 personal foul and results in two free throws and the ball awarded to
the offended team. (2010-2011 rule change)
10
Women's Changes for 2012 and 201311
Definitions. 4-29.2.d. In summary, flagrant 2 personal foul replaces the term
flagrant personal foul.
Definitions. 4-29.3.f. In summary, flagrant 2 technical foul replaces the term
flagrant technical foul.
Timeout Administration, 4-57.2. If a team is not ready to play at the second
horn during a timeout, officials are instructed to formally warn that team on the
first offense. On the second and subsequent offenses, the official shall make the ball
ready for play (e.g., put the ball on the floor and begin the count).
Scoring and Timing regulations. 5-6 Note. For NCAA Division I tournament
games, the length of the intermission for halftime may be increased by five minutes.
Scoring and Timing regulations. 5-13. In summary, permit all games to use
the electronic-media timeout format regardless of whether there is paid advertising
present.
Free Throw. 8-1.4.c. In summary, players are permitted to occupy any (legal)
vacant lane space designated for opponents when the opponent is not in that space,
excluding the bottom two lane spaces.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-1.12. A secondary defender as defined in Rule 4-61
cannot establish initial legal guarding position in the restricted area for the purpose
of drawing a player control foul/charge when defending a player who is in control
of the ball (i.e., dribbling or shooting) or who has released the ball for a pass or try.
When illegal contact occurs within this Restricted Area, such contact shall be called
a blocking foul, unless the contact is a flagrant foul.
a. When illegal contact occurs by the offensive player leading with a foot or
unnatural, extended knee, or warding off with the arm, such contact shall
be called a player-control foul.
b. When a player in control of the ball stops continuous movement toward
the basket and then initiates illegal contact with a secondary defender in
the restricted area, this is a player control foul.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-1 Penalty f. Point of interruption for any double
personal fouls or simultaneous personal fouls unless only one of the fouls is a
flagrant foul in which case, play shall be resumed with a throw-in to the offended
team at the point of interruption.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-2 Penalty. In summary, administrative technical fouls
do not count toward the team foul count.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-2.2.a Penalty. When there are administrative technical
fouls by both teams for violating 10-2.2.a, the fouls shall offset with no free throws
awarded to either team.
Fouls and Penalties. 10-3.1.c Penalty. In summary, committing contact that is
unnecessary, unacceptable and excessive, but does not rise to the level of a flagrant
2 contact technical foul is a contact dead ball technical foul. This foul is charged
as a player/substitute technical foul. The offended team is awarded two free throws
and the ball at the point of interruption.
12Women's Changes for 2012 and 2013
The Rules Committees have identified the following as major concerns that
need to be addressed because of their increased incidence of occurrence:
Major Officiating Concerns for Men
Timeouts — Possession Requirement
Officials are instructed to confirm player possession before granting a team
timeout, particularly when the timeout is being requested from the head coach or
a player in a scramble situation.
Timeout Administration
The committee continues to be concerned with the administration of timeouts.
The ball should be ready for play at the second horn. The committee added a
formal team warning to this rule to assist officials with another tool.
Flagrant 1 or Flagrant 2 Fouls for Elbow Contact
Officials are reminded that there can be incidental contact with the elbow above
or below the shoulders; swinging of the elbow is required for the foul to be
classified as a flagrant 1 or 2 foul. Some incidental contact is being penalized
improperly.
Use of Monitor
While technology is a tool which has enabled officials to “get the call right,”
there is growing concern that the monitor is being used too often, especially on
calls where officials are correct a high percentage of the time. Just because the
rules say officials are permitted to go doesn’t mean they must go to the monitor.
Major Officiating Concerns for Women
Incidental Elbow Contact
Officials are reminded that there can be incidental contact with the elbow above
or below the shoulders and that not all elbow contact with the elbow is a foul
regardless of where the elbow makes contact. Some incidental contact is being
penalized improperly.
Traveling
Officials are reminded that not all spin moves are travels and that legal moves by
the ball handler must be permitted. Good spin moves are erroneously being called
travels. After establishing a pivot foot, that pivot foot may be lifted, but may not
return to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. The player
should be given the benefit of the doubt when interpreting this move.
Freedom of Movement
The committee continues to be concerned with the excessive physicality and the
lack of freedom of movement. Players must be permitted to move freely and
without being held, pushed or rerouted.
Pace of Play
The committee and stakeholders in the game are concerned with the amount of
stoppages that interrupt the flow and pace of the game. In order to increase the
pace of play, officials are instructed to keep the game moving following timeouts,
to permit incidental contact, permit legal moves by ball handlers and to use the
monitor judiciously.
Significant Editorial Changes
Note: These are additions/clarifications that have been part of interpretations or
custom but have not appeared in the rules book. Rule and Section references are
for this edition unless otherwise indicated. There have been many minor editorial
changes to clean up language and eliminate wordiness.
1-17.1
2-10.13
2-11.7.f
2-11.12.a deleted
2-12.2
2-13 reorganized
3-3.3 deleted
3-4 reorganized
3-5.5.c
3-5.8.1
4-18
4-23
4-29.3.g
4-36.6.c
4-64 added
4-71.2
5-10.9 moved to 3-4
5-11.1 and .4
5-12.1.e
5-13.1
6-1.4
6-5.1
9-5.1.f
9-10
9-11.2
9-14
10-1.13 and .14
10-1 Penalty b moved to 10-1 Penalty f
10-3.1.c
13
Preface
Sportsmanship
The primary goal of the rules is to maximize the safety and enjoyment of the
student-athlete. Sportsmanship is a key part of that goal. Sportsmanship should
be a core value in behavior of players and bench personnel, in crowd control by
game management and in the officials’ proper enforcement of the rules governing
related actions.
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules have been designated
as either administrative rules or conduct rules. Typically, administrative rules
are those dealing with preparation for the contest. The conduct rules are those
that deal directly with the playing of the contest. Some administrative rules
(as indicated) may be altered by mutual consent of the competing institutions.
Others (as indicated) are unalterable. No conduct rule may be changed by
mutual consent. All NCAA member institutions are required to conduct their
intercollegiate contests according to these rules.
In the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules, the administrative rules that may
be altered by mutual consent of the competing institutions are Rule 1, Sections
2, 3, 20 and 3-5.10. The administrative rules that may not be altered are Rule 1,
Sections 4 through 7, 15, 16 and 18; Rule 2, Section 1; and the free-throw lane
diagram. All of the other rules are conduct rules and may not be altered.
The rules are divided into articles for ease of reference. Equipment/
apparel rules that are of concern primarily to manufacturers are contained in the
rules supplements that follow this section. All court measurements are included
on the expanded court diagram.
Those desiring interpretations of rules or play situations are asked to send questions via email.
Art Hyland, Men’s Secretary-Rules Editor: Box 538, 10 Magnolia Avenue, West
Hyannisport, Massachusetts 02672; art.hyland@comcast.net.
Debbie Williamson, Women’s Secretary-Rules Editor: P.O. Box 128, Livingston,
Alabama 35470, williamsondebbie@yahoo.com.
Note: Officials may find updates and interpretations on the World Wide Web at:
Men: www.ncaambb.arbitersports.com
Women: www.ncaawbb.arbitersports.com
14
Rules Supplements
Court and Equipment
1. Playing Area. When possible, building plans should provide for a playing
court with ideal measurements as stated in Rule 1-2 and listed on the court
diagram, ample out-of-bounds area and needed seating space for scorers,
timers and fans. A long playing court permits use of two crosswise courts for
practice and informal games.
It is recommended that padding that meets current ASTM standards be
used on walls and other facility features in or around the playing area that
a student-athlete might contact during play. Padding should be installed no
more than 4 inches from the floor up to 6 feet.
2. Ceiling. The ceiling and anything hanging from it (other than the basket)
should be at least 25 feet above the playing court and higher if possible.
3. Boundaries. The committees recommend that a belt 8 inches or more in
width be used to mark the boundaries on all courts that have at least 10 feet
of open space between the boundary lines and the seating. This plan is urged
for all new construction and for other similar courts when the boundaries are
re-marked.
4. Lighting. The court should be uniformly and adequately lighted. Lighting
engineers should be placed in charge of this important factor when planning
any new installations. For information on recommended specifications for
lighting, contact the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, 120
Wall Street, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10005; telephone 212/2485000.
5. Warning on misuse of portable backstops. Manufacturers and administrators
should be aware of an “extreme-caution” warning relative to the misuse of
portable backstops. A high degree of injury potential and a severe liability
problem exists when anyone is allowed to hang, sit or stand on the basket
ring or backboard. Administrators must see that this practice is prohibited
or that the portable units are lowered at the completion of the game because
of the high risk of severe injury, even death. A recommended warning or
inscription such as “Danger—please do not get on the rim/backboard” is
desirable.
6. Locking Backboard. It is recommended that a locking device/safety arrester
be used for ceiling and wall-mount backboard systems that are retracted by
motor-pulley cable arrangements.
7. Backboard Padding. It is recommended that the required padding for the
backboard be mounted on the backboard by adhesive or material such as
Velcro or channel. The bottom and each side of the backboards shall be
padded with a Poly High-Car vinyl-type material that meets the Bashor
resilience test with a range of 20-30.
A lavaliere-type microphone properly positioned in the crease of the
backboard padding or between padding and backboard is permitted since it
15
16Rules Supplements
is not located on the padding and does not interfere with a live ball or create
a safety hazard.
8. Ring. The design of the ring and its construction should be such as
to maximize player safety. A movable basket ring shall have rebound
characteristics identical to those of a nonmovable ring. The pressure-release
mechanism should maximize these characteristics, as well as protect both the
ring and backboard. Movable rings are required.
9. Ring Testing. It is required for Division I and recommended for Divisions
II and III that all competitive rings for men be tested for rebound/elasticity
once before the season and once before the postseason. It is recommended
for women in all divisions that such testing be done three times during the
season. It is recommended further for both men and women in all divisions
that basket ring loads be transferred to the support system by a single strut
boom behind the backboard, or to the backboard frame. The pressurerelease/elasticity mechanism on movable rings may be field adjustable.
When released, the ring shall not rotate more than 30 degrees below the
original horizontal position. After release and with the load no longer
applied, the ring shall return automatically and instantaneously to its original
position.
10. Marking the Court. When marking a court, manufacturers should start at
the center of the court rather than at either end.
11. Timing Equipment. Divisions I, II, and III schools shall have a game clock
that shows a 10th-of-a-second display when less than 59.9 seconds remains
in a period.
Division I, II, and III schools shall have either a red light placed behind
each backboard that is visible through the 24-inch-by-18-inch rectangle
or LED lights around the backboard. The purpose of either is to indicate
when player activity is terminated. If LED lights are used, they shall be
positioned no more than 6 inches from the upper and lower edges of the
backboard and no more than 5 inches from the side of each backboard. When
both lights are present, the LED lights shall take precedence and the red light
shall be disconnected. It is recommended that the game clock, red light or
LED lights be updated in their synchronization..
It is recommended that all men’s Division I arenas provide a timing
mechanism that enables the officials to start and stop the game clock
automatically.
A pole attached to the shot clock that is used to mount a camera or a
camera attached to the shot clock is permissible when the shot clock is
recessed behind the backboard and does not interfere with a live ball nor
does it affect the visibility of the shot clock.
Important Information for Manufacturers
of New Equipment/Apparel
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committees are responsible
for formulating the official playing rules for the sport. The committees are not
responsible for testing or approving playing equipment for use in intercollegiate
men’s and women’s basketball.
Rules Supplements17
Equipment manufacturers have undertaken the responsibility for the
development of playing equipment that meets the s pecifications established from
time to time by the committees. The NCAA urges manufacturers to work with the
various independent testing agencies to maximize the safety of products. Neither
the NCAA nor the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committees
certify the safety of any basketball equipment. Only equipment that meets the
dimensions specified in the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules shall be
used in intercollegiate competition. Similarly, only uniforms that meet the rules
specifications shall be used.
While the committees do not regulate the development of new equipment and
do not set technical or scientific standards for testing equipment or the approval
or disapproval of specific playing equipment, the committees may, from time
to time, provide manufacturers with informal guidelines as to the equipmentperformance levels they consider consistent with the integrity of the game. The
committees reserve the right to intercede in order to protect and maintain that
integrity.
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committees suggest that
manufacturers planning innovative changes in basketball equipment submit the
equipment to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committees for
review before production.
4 FT.
OPTIMUM WIDTH 50 FT.
INSIDE SIDELINES
18 IN.
3 FT.
72 IN.
12 FT.
18
FREETHROW
LANE
6 FT.
TEAM BENCH
AREA
SEE RULE 4-7
20 FT. 9 IN. RADIUS
TO OUTSIDE OF
THREE-POINT LINE
2 IN. WIDE BY 3 FT. DEEP AND
3 FT. EXTENDED ONTO COURT
2 IN. LINE
2 IN. WIDE BY
8 IN. DEEP
1 FT.
15 IN.
7 FT.
12 IN. WIDE BY
8 IN. DEEP
COACHING
COACHING BOX
BOX
28 FT.
15 FT.
3 FT.
4 FT.
END
LINE
RESTRAINING
LINE
COURTSIDE (APPROXIMATELY 3 TO TEAM BENCH
12 FEET FROM THE BOUNDARY LINES)
AREA
SEE RULE 4-7
AN “X”, NCAA LOGO OR NCAA
BASKETBALL LOGO IS REQUIRED.
SEE RULE 1-3.6.
6 FT. RADIUS
OUTSIDE
SCORERS' TABLE
CENTER
CIRCLE
20 FT. 9 IN RADIUS
TO OUTSIDE OF
THREE-POINT LINE
3 FT.
COACHING BOX
2 IN. LINE
6 FT. RADIUS
OUTSIDE
DIVISION
LINE
47 FT.
SIDELINE
(Must be at least 8 inches wide if a contrasting
color belt is used instead of 2-inch-wide line.)
THE COURT
72 IN.
51 IN. FROM OUTSIDE OF 3-POINT
LINE TO INSIDE OF SIDELINES
18 FT. 10 IN.
19 FT.
3 FT.
FREETHROW
LINE
63 IN.
1 FT.
LENGTH 94 FT
ALL LINES SHALL BE 2 IN. WIDE .
(NEUTRAL ZONES EXCLUDED)
MINIMUM of 3 FT.
Preferably 10 ft. unobstructed space outside
.
12 FT
50 FT.
NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball
3-Foot Restricted Area Arc
INSTRUCTIONS
1. To place the arc on the floor, mark a spot on the floor directly under the
center of the basket.
2. Using a measuring device, create a semicircle that extends three feet from
the center of the basket.
3. Measure several points from the center of the basket, including two points
along a plane parallel to the backboard.
4. The restricted area arc shall be drawn as a two-inch line with the outer
edge of the line measuring three feet from the center of the basket.
5. At the diameter points of the semicircle (the plane parallel to the
backboard), the line straightens, similar to the three-point line.
6. The arc’s straight lines shall end at the front edge of the backboard.
7. The line must be clear and discernable from the surrounding area. It is
recommended that the line be the same color as the lane lines or end lines.
19
RULE 1
Court and Equipment
Section 1. The Game
Art. 1. Basketball is played by two teams of five players each. The objective is
for each team to throw or tap the ball into its own basket and to prevent the other
team from scoring.
Art. 2. The ball may be thrown, batted, rolled or dribbled in any direction, subject
to the restrictions that follow.
Section 2. The Playing Court—Dimensions
Art. 1. The playing court shall be a rectangular surface free from obstructions
with sidelines of 94 feet in length and end lines of 50 feet in length, measured
from the inside edges.
Art. 2. The court dimensions shall be marked as shown on the court diagram.
Section 3. Lines and Other Markings
Art. 1. The court shall be marked with boundary lines (sidelines and end lines)
and other lines and markings as shown on the court diagram. All lines must be
clearly discernable and distinguishable.
Art. 2. Instead of the 2-inch boundaries listed on the diagram, it is legal to use
contrasting-colored floor areas by painting the out-of-bounds area, the center
circle, and the free-throw lanes and lines so that the mathematical line between
the two colors is the boundary. Such a contrasting-colored out-of-bounds belt
should be at least 8 inches wide.
Art. 3. The restraining line shall be a solid, interrupted or mathematical line
formed between two colors. The line may be a color that is either the same
or different from that of the end lines. When space is not available for a 6 foot
restraining line, the line should be marked using the maximum available distance.
Nonplaying personnel shall not be permitted in this area.
Art. 4. A shadow line is a line that designates the required 2-inch width by use
of border or outline lines at least 1/4-inch wide, which shall lie within the 2-inch
width. All shadow lines must be clearly discernable and distinguishable.
Art. 5. When the floor has a logo on the playing court, that logo should not
distract from the players’ and the officials’ visibility of the division line or centercircle line.
Art. 6. One of the following shall be placed on the floor in front of the official
scorers’ spot at the scorers’ table at division line:
a. An “X” composed of 12-inch line segments that are 2 inches in width.
b. An NCAA logo that is a minimum of approximately 8 inches in diameter.
c. An NCAA Basketball logo that is a rectangle approximately 1½ feet by
2½ feet.
20
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment21
Section 4. Center Circle
Art. 1. When a logo distracts from the players’ and the officials’ visibility of the
2-inch center-circle line as shown on the court diagram, the following shall be
permissible:
a. Solid 2-inch wide interrupted line: 4 inches long, 2-inch break; 4 inches
long, 2-inch break, etc.
b. Shadow-bordered 2-inch wide line (1/4-inch borders).
c. Two-inch wide interrupted shadow line: 4 inches, 2-inch break, 4 inches,
2-inch break, etc.
d. One-quarter-inch, single-bordered line (radius of 6 feet to the outside
edge).
e. Mathematical line formed by contrasting-colored floor areas.
Art. 2. The unmarked spaces for the non-jumpers around the center circle shall
be 36 inches deep.
Section 5. Division Line
Art. 1. The division line shall divide the playing court into two equal parts and
shall be formed by extending the center-circle diameter in both directions until it
intersects the sidelines.
Art. 2. Instead of the solid 2-inch line as shown on the court diagram, the
following shall be permissible:
a. A solid 2-inch wide interrupted line: 4 inches, 2-inch break, 4 inches,
2-inch break, etc.
b. Shadow-bordered 2-inch wide line (1/4-inch borders).
c. Interrupted 2-inch wide shadow line: 4 inches, 2-inch break, 4 inches,
2-inch break, etc.
Section 6. Free-Throw Lane
Art. 1. All lines designating the free-throw lane, except lane-space marks and
blocks, are part of the lane.
Art. 2. The color of the lane-space marks and blocks may contrast or be of the
same color as the color of the lane boundary lines.
Art. 3. It is highly recommended that the area of the free-throw lane inside the
boundary lines be one color. It is permissible for this area to be more than one
color as long as all required lines in and around the lane are clearly discernable
and distinguishable.
Art. 4. The lane-space marks and blocks shall identify areas that extend 36 inches
from the outer edge of the lane lines toward the sidelines.
Section 7. Three-Point Field-Goal Line
Art. 1. From the center of the basket to the outside edge of the three-point fieldgoal line, the line shall be a distance of 20 feet, 9 inches.
Art. 2. The three-point field-goal line shall be a single-colored solid 2-inch line.
The lines may be the same color as or a different color from the free-throw lane
boundary lines and the semicircles. When a 20-foot-9-inch line and a 19-foot-9inch line both exist, the two lines shall contrast in color and there shall be no form
of embellishment or belt between the lines.
22
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment
40 1/4"
21/16 "
42"
24"
18"
5"
15"
LINE IS
LEVEL WITH
TOP OF
RING
LINES ON
RECTANGLE
SHALL BE
WHITE, 2 INCHES
WIDE
4-41 /2"
6"
617/8"
72"
VIEW OF BACKSIDE OF BACKBOARD
NOTE - MOUNTING PLATES OPTIONAL
IN BOTTOM CORNERS OF BACKBOARD
LED LIGHTS
3” WIDE WHITE
PERIMETER
MARKING
6” MAX.
5” MAX.
5” MAX.
LINE IS LEVEL WITH
TOP OF GOAL
6” MAX.
VIEW OF FRONT OF BACKBOARD
SHOWING PROPER PLACEMENT OF LED LIGHTS
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment23
Section 8. Restricted Area Arc.
The restricted area arc is a solid single-colored 2-inch line formed by a semicircle
measured from the center of the basket to the outside edge with a radius of 3-feet
and extending in a straight line to the front face of the backboard. This arc must
be clearly discernable and distinguishable.
Section 9. Coaching Box
Art. 1. The coaching boxes shall extend from the sideline to the back of the team
benches and shall be bound by the end line and no farther than the 28-foot line
as noted in the diagram.
Art. 2. A 3-foot line shall be extended in both directions from the sideline, so that
the coaching-box restriction is evident.
Section 10. Backboards—Dimensions, Materials
Art. 1. Each backboard shall be marked as listed on the backboard diagram.
Art. 2. The size of the backboards may be either of two dimensions:
a. 6 feet horizontal and 3½ feet vertical; or
b. 6 feet horizontal and 4 feet vertical.
Note: The dimensions of 6 feet horizontal and 3½ feet vertical are recommended
for replacement backboards or new installations.
Art. 3. The backboards shall be similar in size at both ends of the playing court.
Art. 4. A transparent, unaltered, rigid, rectangular backboard with a flat surface
shall be used.
Art. 5. Backboards shall not be tinted.
Section 11. Backboards—Padding
Art. 1. The padding shall be a single solid color and shall be the same color on
both backboards.
a. When it becomes necessary to use a substitute backboard, the padding
shall be of the same color as that of the backboard being replaced.
Art. 2. The padding shall be 1-inch thick from the front and back surfaces of the
backboards.
Art. 3. The material shall be 2 inches from the bottom edge of each backboard.
Art. 4. The padding shall cover the bottom surface of each backboard and the
side surface to a distance of 15 inches up from the bottom. The front and back
surface must be covered to a minimum distance of ¾ inch from the bottom of
each backboard.
Section 12. Backboards—Support Systems
Art. 1. Padding—Any backboard support behind a backboard and at a height of
less than 9 feet above the floor shall be padded on the bottom surface to a distance
of 2 feet from the face of the backboard. All portable backstops shall have the
bases padded to a height of 7 feet on the courtside surface.
Art. 2. Protrusions and Clearances
a. Protrusions below backboards shall not be allowed.
b. Any backboard support, all of which is not directly behind the backboard,
shall be at least 6 inches behind the backboard when the support extends
24
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment
above the top and at least 2 feet behind the backboard when the support
extends beyond the side.
c. Any support system below or behind a backboard shall be at least 8 feet
behind the plane of the backboard face and a height of 7 feet or more
above the floor.
d. Any overhead backboard support structure that must be forward-braced
because of space limitations, architectural or structural restraints, shall
meet the following requirements: A front diagonal brace support system
must be located above a line extending upward and into the playing court
at a maximum 45-degree angle from a point on a vertical line located
a minimum of 6 inches behind the front surface of the backboard at a
minimum height of 4 feet 6 inches above the basket ring.
Section 13. Backboards—Positions
Art. 1. Each backboard shall be midway between each sideline, with the plane of
its front face perpendicular to the floor, parallel to and 4 feet from each end line.
Art. 2. The upper edge of each backboard shall be 13 feet above the floor.
Art. 3. Each backboard shall be protected from spectators to a distance of at least
3 feet at each end.
Art. 4. Portable backboards shall be secured to the floor to prevent movement.
Art. 5. Neon, electric, LED or artificially lit signage shall not be permitted on the
backboards or backboard supports. When the signage is improperly positioned or
located, the referee shall instruct home contest management to deactivate such
signage.
Art. 6. During game conditions, all movement (vibration, etc.) of the backboard
(because of any type of slam dunk or similar violent play) must regain a static
position within four seconds.
Section 14. Baskets—Size, Material
Art. 1. Each basket shall consist of a single metal ring, 18 inches inside diameter,
its flange and braces, and a white-cord, 12-mesh net, 15 to 18 inches in length,
suspended from beneath the ring.
Art. 2. Each ring shall measure not more than 5/8 inch in diameter, with the
possible addition of small-gauge loops on the under-edge or a smaller ring located
directly under the required ring for attaching a 12-mesh net. Each ring and its
attaching flange and braces shall be bright orange in color.
Art. 3. The cord of each net shall be not less than 120-thread nor more than
144-thread twine, or plastic material of comparable dimensions, and constructed
so as to check the ball momentarily as it passes through.
Section 15. Baskets—Ring
Art. 1. Each basket ring shall be securely attached to each backboard/support
system with a ring-restraining device. Such a device will ensure that the basket
stays attached, even when a glass backboard breaks.
Art. 2. The upper edge of each basket ring shall lie 10 feet above and parallel to
the floor and shall be equidistant from the vertical edges of that backboard. The
nearest point of the inside edge of each ring shall lie 6 inches from the plane of
the face of that backboard.
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment25
Art. 3. Movable rings are required. Movable rings may flex both to the front and
the sides.
Art. 4. (Men) All competitive rings shall be tested for rebound elasticity once
before the season (July 15-Oct. 15) and once before the postseason. The rebound
elasticity requirement shall be 35 percent to 50 percent energy absorption and be
within a 5 percent differential between baskets on the same court.
Note: For Division II and Division III, ring testing is recommended (see
supplement number 9).
Section 16. The Ball
Art. 1. The ball shall be spherical. Spherical shall be defined as a round body
whose surface at all points is equidistant from the center except at the approved
black rubber ribs (channels and/or seams).
Art. 2. The ball’s color shall be Pantone Matching System (PMS) Orange 151,
Red-Orange 173 or Brown 1535.
Art. 3. The ball shall have a deeply pebbled leather or composite cover.
Art. 4. The ball shall have the traditionally shaped eight panels, bonded tightly
to the rubber carcass. The eight panels are defined by two channels and/or seams
dissecting the ball’s circumference in opposite directions and two panels that
when laid flat shall have the shape of a figure eight.
Art. 5. The width of the black rubber rib (channels and/or seams) shall not exceed
1/4 inch.
Art. 6. When dribbled vertically, without rotation, the ball shall return directly to
the dribbler’s hand.
Art. 7. The air pressure that will give the required reaction shall be stamped on
the ball. The ball shall be inflated to an air pressure such that when it is dropped
to the playing surface from a height of 6 feet measured to the bottom of the ball,
it will rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball of:
a. (Men) Not less than 49 inches when it strikes its least resilient spot nor
more than 54 inches when it strikes its most resilient spot.
b. (Women) Not less than 51 inches when it strikes its least resilient spot nor
more than 56 inches when it strikes its most resilient spot.
Art. 8. a. (Men) The circumference of the ball shall be within a maximum of 30
inches and a minimum of 29½ inches.
b. (Women) The circumference of the ball shall be within a maximum of 29
inches and a minimum of 28½ inches.
Art. 9. a. (Men) The weight of the ball shall not be less than 20 ounces nor more
than 22 ounces.
b. (Women) The weight of the ball shall not be less than 18 ounces nor more
than 20 ounces.
Art. 10. The home team shall provide a ball that meets the specifications listed
in this section. The referee shall judge the legality of the ball and may select for
use a ball provided by the visiting team when the home team cannot provide a
legal ball.
Note: It is recommended that the home team provide the visiting team with warmup balls of the same type as the game ball.
26
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment
Section 17. Logos/Names/Equipment
Art. 1. Logos, names or equipment of any kind (including school and conference
logos or names, cameras and microphones) shall not be permitted on the
backboards, rings, padding around the backboards, or on the shot clocks. Cameras
and microphones are permitted on the shot clocks when they are recessed such
that they do not extend beyond the plane of the back edge of the backboard.
A lavalier-type microphone properly positioned in the crease of the backboard
padding or between the padding and the backboard is permitted when it does not
interfere with a live ball or create a safety hazard.
Art. 2. The manufacturer’s name and logo shall be permitted to appear on the ball
a maximum of two times.
Art. 3. An institution’s name or logo shall be permitted on the ball.
Art. 4. There are no restrictions on NCAA, team or conference logos, names
or abbreviations on the playing court, provided they do not obscure any of the
required lines. (See Rule 10-2.1.)
Art. 5. No more than two commercial logos shall be permitted on the playing
court when they conform to the following standards:
a. The logo(s) shall fit into a box that is 10 feet by 10 feet square;
b. This box shall be located 8½ feet from the division line and 4½ feet from
the sideline;
c. Logo(s) shall be within the two 10-foot-by-10-foot squares, with no more
than one square in each half of the playing court.
Note: See Rules 3-5.5.c and 3-8 for logos and labels on players’ uniforms/
equipment.
Section 18. Scoreboard, Game-Clock Display
Art. 1. A visible game clock shall be required.
Art. 2. An alternate timing device and scoring display shall be available in the
event of malfunctions.
Art. 3. A game clock that shows a 10th-of-a-second display when less than 59.9
seconds remains in a period shall be required.
Note: It is recommended that the game clock, red light or LED lights be updated
in their synchronization.
Art. 4. A red light (that is visible through the 24-inch-by-18-inch rectangle
painted on the backboard) placed behind each backboard or LED lights placed
around the backboard shall be required. See the Court and Equipment Rules
Supplement, (No. 11 “Timing Equipment”) for more specifications.
Note: When both the red light and LED lights are present, the red-warning light
should be disconnected and the LED lights should be used.
Section 19. Shot-Clock Displays
Art. 1. Two visible shot clocks, one at each end of the court, shall be mandatory.
Art. 2. An alternate timing device shall be available when a visible shot clock
malfunctions.
Art. 3. A shot clock shall be recessed and mounted on the backboard supports
behind each backboard.
Rule 1 / Court and Equipment27
Art. 4. LED lights located around the shot clock may be used, but the lights shall
only be activated for a shot-clock violation.
Section 20. Possession Indicator
Art. 1. A visible display located at the scorers’ table shall be available to indicate
team possession in the alternating-possession procedure.
Section 21. Team Benches—Scorers’ and Timers’ Table
Art. 1. Choice of benches is made by the home team’s game administration.
Art. 2. The team benches shall be located equidistant from the division line
extended at each side of the scorers’ and timers’ table on the sidelines.
Art. 3. The scorers’ and timers’ table shall be located courtside and at midcourt.
Art. 4. Teams shall warm up at the end of the playing court farthest from their
own bench for the first half.
RULE 2
Officials and Their
Duties
Section 1. The Officials
Art. 1. The officials shall be:
a. A referee and an umpire; or a referee and two umpires;
b. Two timers, two scorers and a shot-clock operator, who shall assist the
referee and umpire(s). A single timer and single scorer may be used when
they are trained personnel acceptable to the referee.
Art. 2. The officials’ uniform shall be a black-and-white striped shirt that may
have a 3-inch-wide black insert, and black pants.
Art. 3. The scorers, timers and shot-clock operator shall be located at the scorers’
table at courtside. Note: It is recommended that the official scorer be seated next
to the official timer.
Section 2. Officials’ Authority
Art. 1. The officials shall conduct the game in accordance with the official rules
and interpretations and employ the mechanics of officiating outlined in the
NCAA-approved men’s or women’s basketball officiating manuals.
Art. 2. No official has the authority to set aside any official rules or approved
interpretations.
Art. 3. No official shall have authority to set aside or question decisions made by
the other official(s) within the limits of their respective outlined duties.
Art. 4. One official may assist another by providing additional information
related to a made decision.
Art. 5. The referee’s decision shall not take precedence over that of the umpire(s)
in calling a foul or violation.
Section 3. Elastic Power
The referee shall be empowered to make decisions on any points not specifically
covered in the rules.
Section 4. Officials’ Jurisdiction
Art. 1. The officials shall have the power to make decisions for infractions of
rules committed either within or outside the boundary lines from 30 minutes
(men) and 15 minutes (women) before the scheduled starting time of the game
through the referee’s approval of the final score.
Art. 2. For men, at least one official shall arrive on the floor 30 minutes before the
start of the game. At least one official must remain on the floor once jurisdiction
begins.
28
Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties29
Art. 3. For women, at least one official shall arrive on the floor 15 minutes
before the start of the game. At least one official must remain on the floor once
jurisdiction begins.
Art. 4. When all three officials leave the visual confines of the playing area at
the end of the game, the officials’ jurisdiction has ended and the score has been
approved.
Section 5. The Referee—Pregame Duties
Before the game starts, the referee shall:
Art. 1. Inspect and approve all players’ uniforms and all equipment, including
playing court, baskets, ball, backboards, and timers’/scorers’ signals.
Art. 2. Designate the official clocks and timers/operators.
Art. 3. Designate the official scorebook and official scorer.
Art. 4. Ensure that the official timer will be responsible for notifying each team
three minutes before each half is to begin.
Art. 5. Check the official scorebook for names and numbers of team members
and designated starters.
Art. 6. Notify the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game.
Section 6. The Referee—Duties During Game
During the game, the referee shall:
Art. 1. Be responsible for designating which official shall toss the ball for jump
ball(s).
Art. 2. Administer the alternating-possession procedure to start the second half.
Art. 3. Decide whether a goal will count when the officials disagree.
Art. 4. Correct a scoring or bookkeeping mistake.
Art. 5. Correct all errors within the prescribed time frame.
Art. 6. Forfeit the game when the conditions warrant.
Art. 7. Decide matters upon which the timers and scorers disagree.
Art. 8. Inform each team and the table officials of the overtime procedures when
the score is tied at the end of regulation time.
Art. 9. Check the score at the end of each half and extra period(s) and approve
the final score.
Section 7. Officials’ Duties
During the game, officials shall:
Art. 1. Put the ball in play.
Art. 2. Determine when the ball becomes dead.
Art. 3. Prohibit practice during a dead ball, except between halves.
Art. 4. Administer penalties.
Art. 5. Grant and charge timeouts.
Art. 6. Correct errors and mistakes within the prescribed time frames. Officials
may use play-by-play, a digital stopwatch and table officials (includes an
approved standby official) to correct errors and mistakes.
Art. 7. Beckon substitutes to enter the playing court.
30
Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties
Art. 8. Indicate a three-point attempt and signal a successful three-point goal.
Art. 9. Silently and visibly count seconds to administer throw-in, free-throw,
(men) back-court, and closely guarded rules, (women) closely guarded when
holding the ball (only) and silently count for enforcement of the three-second
rule.
Art. 10. Notify the captains when play is about to begin after an intermission or
a timeout.
Art. 11. Report a warning for delay to the official scorer and coaches. (See Rule
4-17.2.)
Art. 12. Signal the official timer to stop the game clock when a foul occurs,
designate the offender to the official scorer and indicate with finger(s) the number
of free throws.
Art. 13. Clearly signal, when a team is entitled to a throw-in:
a. The act that caused the ball to become dead.
b. The team entitled to the throw-in.
c. The designated spot, unless the throw-in comes after a successful goal or
an awarded goal.
Art. 14. Notify a team and its head coach when a team takes its final allowable
charged timeout.
Section 8. Officials’ Duties Related to Conduct
The officials shall:
Art. 1. Penalize unsportsmanlike conduct by a player, coach, substitute, team
attendant or follower.
Art. 2. Penalize flagrant acts by any offender.
Art. 3. Remove a player from the game who commits his or her fifth foul. (See
Rule 2-9.4.)
Art. 4. Notify the coach and then the player when there is a disqualification.
Art. 5. Inform the head coach and the official scorer that an ejection for fighting
was issued.
Section 9. Duties of Scorers
The scorers shall:
Art. 1. Record the names and uniform numbers of squad members who may
participate, starting five players, and the names of all substitutes who enter
the game. It is recommended that squad members’ names be recorded in the
scorebook in numerical order.
Art. 2. Record the field goals made and the free throws made and missed, and
keep a running summary of the points scored.
Art. 3. Record the personal and technical fouls assessed to each player and the
technical fouls assessed to a coach, team member, bench personnel or follower.
Art. 4. Notify an official immediately when a player has committed his or her
fifth foul.
Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties31
Art. 5. Notify an official immediately when a (men) second CLASS A technical
(AA) foul and (women) second technical foul is charged to a coach, squad
member or any bench personnel.
Art. 6. (Men) Notify an official immediately when a combination of one CLASS
A technical foul and two CLASS B technical fouls (ABB) or three CLASS B
technical fouls (BBB) have been assessed.
Art. 7. (Women) Notify an official immediately when a head coach receives a
combination of one direct technical foul and two indirect technical fouls or three
indirect technical fouls.
Art. 8. Record in the scorebook any ejection for fighting.
Art. 9. Record the timeouts charged to each team and notify an official when a
team takes its final allowable charged timeout.
Art. 10. Signal the nearest official each time a team is granted a charged timeout
in excess of the allowable number.
Art. 11. Signal the nearest official in each half when a player commits a common
foul (except a player-control or team-control foul), beginning with the team’s
seventh foul and the team’s 10th foul, including any combination of personal
fouls, (men) CLASS A technical fouls and (women) all technical fouls.
Art. 12. The official scorebook shall remain at the scorers’ table throughout the
game, including all intermissions.
Art. 13. Compare their records after each goal, each foul and each charged
timeout, notifying the referee at once of any discrepancy. When no error can be
found, the referee shall accept the record of the official scorebook, unless the
referee has knowledge that permits another decision. When the discrepancy is
in the score and the error is not resolved, the referee shall accept the progressive
team totals of the official scorebook.
Art. 14. Notify the nearest official when there is an infraction of the rules
pertaining to submission of the roster, substitutions or uniform numbers of
players.
Art. 15. When necessary, signal the officials with a sounding device unlike that
used by the referee and umpire(s). This sounding device may be used immediately
when (or as soon as) the ball is dead or is in control of the offending team.
Art. 16. When a correctable error is called to the official scorer’s attention while
the game clock is running, the timer shall not use the game-clock horn until the
ball has become dead.
Art. 17. Correct a scoring or bookkeeping mistake any time before the referee
approves the final score.
Note: It is recommended that only the person at the scorers’ table permitted to
wear a black-and-white-striped garment be the official scorer.
Section 10. Duties of Timer
The official timer shall:
Art. 1. Be provided with a game clock to be used for timing periods and
intermissions and a digital stopwatch. The game clock and digital stopwatch shall
be placed so that they may be seen by both the timer and the shot-clock operator.
Art. 2. Operate the game clock.
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Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties
Art. 3. Notify the referee more than three minutes before each half is to start.
Art. 4. Signal the scorers three minutes before starting time.
Art. 5. Record playing time and time of stoppages.
Art. 6. Notify an official when the timer has information pertaining to a timing
mistake.
Art. 7. Start the game clock as prescribed in Rule 5-9.
Art. 8. Start the digital stopwatch for a charged timeout, to replace a disqualified
player, to remedy a blood situation (women) to remedy a lost, irritated or
displaced contact lens, and signal the referee when it is time to resume play.
Art. 9. Sound a warning horn 15 seconds before the expiration of the 20-second
time limit to replace a disqualified or injured player. The signal also shall be
sounded at the end of the 20 seconds to replace a disqualified or injured player.
Art. 10. Sound a warning horn 15 seconds before the expiration of an
intermission or charged timeout. A second signal shall be given at the expiration
of an intermission or a charged timeout. Play shall be resumed immediately upon
the sounding of the second signal. (Exception 4-57.2)
Art. 11. Stop the game clock as prescribed in Rule 5-10.
Art. 12. Stop the game clock after a successful field goal with 59.9 seconds or
less remaining in the game or any extra period.
Art. 13. Sound the game-clock horn when the ball has become dead and any of
the following have been brought to the scorer’s attention by a head coach or table
official (includes an approved standby official):
a. The possibility of a correctable error situation as in Rule 2-12;
b. Whether a timing, scoring or alternating-possession mistake needs to be
prevented or rectified; or
c. To determine whether a flagrant 2 foul or (women) flagrant 1 personal
for elbow contact above the shoulders of an opponent or contact dead
ball technical foul for elbow contact above the shoulders of an opponent
occurred.
Art. 14. Indicate with the red light or LED lights the expiration of playing time in
each half or extra period. This signal shall terminate player activity. When a red
light is not present, the indicator that shall terminate players’ activity shall be the
sounding of the game-clock horn.
Art. 15. Enter the playing court or use other means to immediately notify the
referee when the timers’ red light signal or LED lights fail to operate or be seen
or when a game-clock horn fails to sound or is inaudible. When, in the meantime,
a goal has been made or a foul has occurred, the referee shall consult the timers.
a. When the timers agree that time expired before a try for field goal was in
flight, the goal shall not count.
b. When the timers agree that the period ended before a foul occurred as
in Rule 5-7.3.c, the foul shall be disregarded unless it was a flagrant 2
technical foul or a contact dead ball technical foul.
c. When the timers disagree about the expiration of time before a successful
try for field goal or foul, the goal shall count or the foul shall be penalized
unless the referee has knowledge that alters such a ruling.
Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties33
Section 11. Duties of Shot-Clock Operator
The shot-clock operator shall:
Art. 1. Use a 35-second shot clock for men and a 30-second shot clock for
women.
Art. 2. Use the shot clock for the entire game, including extra periods, except
when there is less time remaining on the game clock than on the shot clock, in
which case the shot clock shall be turned off.
Art. 3. Control a separate timing device with a horn that shall have a sound that
is distinct and different from that of the game-clock horn.
Art. 4. Have an alternate timing device available.
Art. 5. Start the timing device when a player inbounds legally touches or is
touched by the ball on a throw-in or when a team initially gains possession from
a jump ball, an unsuccessful try for goal or when possession of a loose ball is
gained after a jump ball or unsuccessful try for goal.
Art. 6. Stop the timing device and reset it:
a. When team control is re-established after the team loses possession of the
ball;
Note: The mere touching of the ball by an opponent does not start a new
shot-clock period when the same team remains in control of the ball.
b. When any of the following occur:
1. A single personal foul;
2. A single technical foul assessed to the defensive team;
c. When a held ball occurs (Exceptions:Rules 2-11.7.e, 2-11.7.i and 2-11.7.j);
d. When a try for goal strikes the ring or flange and then possession is gained
by either team;
e. When a violation occurs;
f. When an intentionally kicked or fisted ball occurs with 14 seconds or less
remaining, set to 15 seconds;
g. When an inadvertent whistle occurs and there was no player or team
control at the time of the whistle.
Art. 7. Stop the timing device and continue time without a reset when play begins
under the following circumstances:
a. The ball is deflected out of bounds by a defensive player;
b. When an intentionally kicked or fisted ball occurs with 15 seconds or
more remaining;
c. A player is injured or loses a contact lens;
d. A charged timeout has concluded;
e. During team control as defined in Rule 4-15, a defensive player causes a
held ball and the alternating-possession arrow favors the offensive team;
f. After any double personal or technical fouls or simultaneous personal or
technical fouls when there is team control as defined in Rule 4-15 unless
the penalty for the foul results in a change of possession;
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Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties
g. After an inadvertent whistle when there is team control as defined in Rule
4-15;
h. After any technical foul(s) is assessed to the team in control of the ball, or
to the team entitled to the ball before it is at the disposal of the thrower-in,
or to bench personnel or followers of that team, when these conditions
exist;
i. After a simultaneous held ball as described in Rule 4-37 occurs during
a throw-in or after an unsuccessful try that does not contact the ring or
flange and the alternating-possession arrow favors the throw-in team; and
j. After the ball goes out of bounds and was last touched simultaneously
by two opponents, both of whom are either inbounds or out of bounds or
when there is doubt as to who last touched the ball.
Note: The offensive team, upon regaining possession of the ball for the
throw-in, shall have the unexpired time on the shot clock to attempt a try.
Art. 8. Stop the timing device and set the shot clock to 15 seconds when an
intentionally kicked or fisted ball occurs during a throw-in with 14 seconds or less
remaining. When an intentionally kicked or fisted ball occurs during a throw-in
with 15 seconds or more remaining, the shot clock shall not be reset.
Art. 9. Sound the shot-clock horn at the expiration of the shot-clock period. This
shot-clock horn shall not stop play unless recognized by an official’s whistle.
When the shot clock indicates zeros but the shot-clock horn has not sounded, the
shot-clock time has not expired.
Art. 10. Turn off the shot clock when a reset situation occurs and the game clock
shows less time than that of a shot-clock period.
Art. 11. Allow the timing device to continue during a loose-ball situation when
the offense retains possession or when a field-goal try is attempted at the wrong
basket.
Art. 12. Allow the game officials to make the final decision when there is doubt
as to whether a score was made within the shot-clock period or whether a try for
goal contacted the ring or flange.
Section 12. Correctable Errors
Art. 1. The correctable errors are as follows:
a. Failing to award a merited free throw.
b. Awarding an unmerited free throw.
c. Permitting a wrong player to attempt a free throw.
d. Permitting a player to attempt a free throw at the wrong basket.
e. Erroneously counting or canceling a score.
Note: In order for this to be a correctable error, the official must have
erred in counting or canceling a successful try for goal according to a
rule (i.e., after basket interference or goaltending, incorrectly counting or
failing to cancel a score or counting a three-point goal instead of a twopoint goal). A correctable error does not involve an error in judgment.
Art. 2. When the officials’ error as in Rule 2-12.1.a through .d is made while
the game clock is stopped, such errors must be recognized and corrected by an
official during the first dead ball after the game clock has been started properly.
Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties35
Art. 3. When the officials’ error as in Rule 2-12.1.e is made while the game
clock is running and the ball becomes dead after a successful goal, it must be
recognized and corrected by an official before the second live ball.
Art. 4. When the error is a free throw by the wrong player, a free throw attempted
at the wrong basket or the awarding of an unmerited free throw, the free throw and
the activity during it, other than any flagrant or technical foul, shall be canceled.
a. Points scored, time consumed and additional activity that may occur
before the recognition of the error shall not be nullified.
Art. 5. When an error is corrected, play shall be resumed from the point of
interruption to correct the error, unless the correction involves the failure to award
a merited free throw(s) and there has been no change of team possession since the
error was made. In that case, play shall resume as after any normal free throw.
a. Points scored, time consumed and additional activity that may occur
before the recognition of the error shall not be nullified.
Art. 6. An appeal for a correctable error may be made by a head coach, table
official (includes an approved standby official) or game official. This appeal must
be honored and reviewed by an official.
Section 13. Games with Replay/Television Equipment
Art. 1. Courtside replay equipment, videotape or television monitoring must be
located on a designated courtside table (i.e., within approximately 3 to 12 feet of
the playing court), in order to be used by game officials. An on-screen game clock
display on the monitor may be used only when the display is synchronized with
the official game clock..
Art 2. Officials may use such available equipment only in the following situations:
a. Free Throws.
1. Determine who shall attempt a free throw(s) when there is uncertainty.
2. Determine whether a player who was fouled on his or her unsuccessful
field-goal try, at or near the three-point line, shall attempt either two or
three free throws.
3. Determine whether the wrong player was permitted to attempt a free
throw as per 2-12.1.c.
4. Determine whether a player was permitted to attempt a free throw at
the wrong basket as per 2-12.1.d.
b. Scoring.
1 Determine whether a try for goal was a two- or three-point attempt.
(Review must occur within the time frame in 2-12.3)
2. Prevent or rectify a scoring mistake by the scorer.
3. Determine whether a score was erroneously counted or canceled as per
2-12.1.e.
c. Timing.
1. Determine whether the game clock malfunctioned or whether a timing
mistake occurred in starting or stopping the game clock. :
a. After the malfunction or mistake, such a mistake shall be corrected:
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Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties
1. During the first dead ball and before the ball is touched
inbounds or out of bounds by a player other than a thrower-in.
2.When the clock should have been continuously running,
the mistake shall be corrected before the second live ball is
touched inbounds or out of bounds by a player other than a
thrower-in.
b. No timing mistake correction shall be carried over from one half or
extra period to another. Such a mistake shall be corrected before the
start of intermission.
c. Determine the correct time to be placed back on the game clock when
the referee blows the whistle, signals for the game clock to be stopped,
and in his/her judgment time has elapsed before the game clock
stopped
2. Determine whether the shot clock malfunctioned or a timing mistake
occurred in failing to properly start, stop, set or reset the shot clock. The
malfunction or mistake may only be corrected in the shot clock period in
which it occurred. Any activity after the mistake or malfunction has been
committed and until it has been rectified shall be canceled, excluding a
flagrant 1 or 2 personal foul or any technical foul.
d. Fouls.
1. Determine if a flagrant 2 personal foul, flagrant 2 contact technical foul or
(women) flagrant 1 personal foul for illegal contact with an elbow above
the shoulders of an opponent or a (women) contact dead ball technical
foul for illegal contact with an elbow above the shoulders of an opponent
occurred. When it is determined that a flagrant 2 contact technical foul did
not occur but a flagrant 1 personal foul, or contact dead ball technical foul
did occur, those fouls shall be penalized accordingly. However, no other
infractions may be penalized.
a. When there is a foul called for contact, the officials, with a plausible
reason, may review the severity of that foul during the dead ball
period following the call. When the ball becomes live, there shall be
no review of the made call.
b. A coach may request a monitor review to determine if any of the fouls
in 2-13.2.d.1 occurred. When no such foul is assessed, a timeout shall
be charged to that team.
2. When officials err and fail to observe the fouls according to 2-13.2.d.1 or
a fight, they are permitted to correct and penalize these infraction(s), with
the use of a monitor review, when the act occurs:
a. When the game clock was stopped, it must be corrected:
1. During the first dead ball after the clock was properly started.
b. When the game clock was running, it must be corrected:
1. During the first dead ball after the clock was properly stopped; or
2. Before the second live ball when the ball became dead after a
successful goal but the clock continued to run.
3. When it is determined that a flagrant 1 or 2 personal foul, a flagrant 2
contact technical foul or a fight did occur within the prescribed time
Rule 2 / Officials and Their Duties37
frame, the infraction(s) should be penalized and play shall be resumed
by awarding the ball to the offended team where the stoppage of play
occurred to review the flagrant act. (Men) When a flagrant 2 contact
technical foul or a contact dead ball technical foul is assessed, play shall
be resumed by awarding the ball to the offended team at the division
line on either side of the playing court. Any previous activity before the
monitor review shall not be canceled or nullified. When it is determined
that a flagrant 1 or 2 personal foul, a flagrant 2 contact technical foul or a
fight did not occur or did not occur within the prescribed time frame, play
shall be resumed where the stoppage of play occurred to review the act.
Art. 3. Officials shall use such available equipment in the following situations:
a. When there is a reading of zeros on the game clock at the end of any period,
after making a call on the playing court, and when necessary to determine the
outcome of the game in the following situations:
1. Determine whether a try for field goal entering the basket was released
before the reading of zeros on the game clock. When it is determined that
the try for goal was successful, the official is permitted to put the exact
time back on the game clock as to when the ball passed through the net.
2. Determine whether a shot-clock violation occurred before the reading of
zeros on the game clock.
3. Determine whether a foul occurred before the reading of zeros on the
game clock. When it is determined that the foul occurred before the
reading of zeros on the game clock, the official is permitted to put the
exact time back on the game clock as to when the foul was committed.
b. To determine whether a fight occurred and the individuals who participated or
left the bench area.
Art. 4. In games with a 10th-of-a-second game clock display and where an official
courtside monitor is used, the reading of zeros on the game clock is to be used to
determine whether a try for goal, a shot-clock violation or a foul occurred before or
after the expiration of time in any period. When the game clock is not visible, the
officials shall verify the original call with the use of the red/LED light(s). When the
red/LED light(s) are not visible, the sounding of the game-clock horn shall be utilized.
When definitive information is unattainable with the use of the monitor, the original
call stands.
Art. 5. The officials shall not use such available equipment for judgment calls such
as:
a. Determine who committed a foul or whether a foul occurred. (Exceptions: A
flagrant 2 foul and (women) A flagrant 1 personal foul for contact with an
opponent above the shoulders of an opponent or a contact dead ball technical
foul for illegal contact above the shoulders of an opponent.)
b. Determine whether basket interference or goaltending occurred.
c. Determine whether a violation occurred except in 2-13.3.a.2.
d. Determine whether the ball was released before the sounding of the shot-clock
horn, except as in 2-13.3.a.2.
RULE 3
Players, Substitutes
and Player Equipment
Section 1. The Team
Art. 1. At the start of the game, each team shall consist of five players, one of
whom shall be the captain.
Art. 2. Each team may continue to play with fewer than five players when all
other squad members are not eligible or able to play.
Art. 3. When there is only one player participating for a team, that team shall
forfeit unless the referee believes that both teams have an opportunity to win.
Section 2. The Captain
Art. 1. The captain is a team member who may address an official on matters of
interpretation or to obtain essential information, when it is done in a courteous
manner. Dialogue between coaches and officials should be kept to a minimum.
Art. 2. Any player may address an official to request a timeout or permission to
leave the playing court.
Section 3. Lineup
Art. 1. Before the 10-minute mark is reached on the game clock that is counting
down the time before the start of the game, each team shall supply the scorers
with names and uniform numbers of squad members who may participate, and
those of the five starting players.
Art. 2. After the 10-minute mark is reached on the game clock that is counting
down the time before the start of the game and until the end of the game, a team
shall not make changes to the scorebook. The only changes permitted are those
necessitated by obvious injury, illness, blood on the uniform, a replacement of a
designated starter to shoot a technical-foul free throw, or to correct a scoring or
bookkeeping mistake.
Section 4. Substitutions
Art. 1. Procedural Requirements.
a. Each substitute who desires to enter the game shall give the scorers his or
her uniform number.
b. Any substitute shall remain outside the boundary line until beckoned by an
official, whereupon the substitute shall enter immediately. When the ball
is about to become live, the beckoning signal should be withheld.
c. A substitute becomes a player when he/she legally enters the playing
court. When the entry is not legal, the substitute becomes a player when
the ball becomes live.
38
Rule 3 / Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment39
d. An entering player shall not replace a designated jumper.
e. Substitutions between periods shall be reported to the official scorer by
the substitute(s) or a team representative before the signal that ends the
intermission rather than before the warning horn. When the substitute(s)
has not reported before the final horn to end the intermission, then the five
players from the previous period shall begin the next period.
f. When entry is at any time other than between halves, and a substitute
who is entitled and ready to enter reports to the scorers, the timers shall
sound the game-clock horn when the ball is dead and time is stopped.
(Exception: Rule 3-4.1.h).
g. Substitutions during a timeout must report to or be in position to report
to the official scorer before the warning horn. Substitutions shall not be
permitted after the warning horn. (Exception: Rule 3-4.3.e).
h. Substitutions shall not be permitted when the game clock has been stopped
after successful field goals in the last 59.9 seconds of the second half or
any extra period and before the clock has been properly started except for
the following:
1. Those substitutions permitted by rule including, but not limited to,
injury, blood, violation, foul, disqualification, timeout, or for a lost, displaced or irritated contact lens or displaced eyeglasses.
2. There shall be no substitutions during the dead ball period when the
clock is stopped for the made basket to correct a timing mistake or for
an inadvertent whistle.
i. A player who has been withdrawn or replaced by a substitute may re-enter
the game at the next opportunity to substitute, provided that the game
clock has been properly started after the withdrawal or replacement.
j. A player who legally enters the game during a dead ball may leave the
game during that same dead-ball period without penalty.
k. When three or more substitutes for the same team enter the game, an
official may honor a request by the captain of the opposing team to aid it
in locating the entering players.
Art. 2. Free Throws.
a. An entering player shall not replace a free-thrower. When the substitute
desires to replace a player who is to attempt a free throw, the substitute
shall remain at the scorers’ table until the next opportunity to enter the
game.
b. During multiple free throws for personal fouls, a substitute may enter
the game only before the final attempt in the sequence unless otherwise
authorized by the rules or after the final attempt has been successfully
converted.
1. Substitutions during a timeout but before the warning horn are
permissible before the first free-throw attempt.
c. During free throws for a technical foul, only substitutes allowed by rule
shall be permitted to enter the game before the final attempt. All other
substitutes shall be permitted to enter the game only after the final attempt.
(See Rule 3-4.2.d.)
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Rule 3 / Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment
d. When a player is required to be replaced, such as for disqualification,
injury or blood, a lost, irritated or displaced contact:
1. Before the administering of multiple free throws, all substitutes, who
had legally reported to the official scorer before the player who had
to be replaced, may enter the game; or
2. When no free throws are awarded, all substitutes, who had legally
reported to the official scorer before the player who had to be replaced,
may enter the game.
Art. 3. Required Substitutions
a. A bleeding player or (women) a player who has a lost, displaced or
irritated contact lens is required to be substituted for if the issue cannot
be resolved within 20 seconds. However, a timeout may be requested
and granted when this player desires to remain in the game. When the
condition is remedied within the granted timeout, the player is permitted
to remain in the game.
b. A player with blood on his or her uniform shall have the uniform evaluated
by medical personnel. When medical personnel determine that the blood
has not saturated the uniform, the player may immediately resume play
without leaving the game. When medical personnel determine that the
blood has saturated the uniform, the affected part of the uniform shall be
changed before the player is permitted to return.
c. When a player is required to be replaced, such as for disqualification,
injury or blood, a lost, irritated or displaced contact, all substitutes who
had legally reported to the official scorer before the player who had to
be replaced, may enter the game.
d. An immediate substitute shall be required when the coach or any other
bench personnel is beckoned and/or comes onto the playing court to
attend a player(s) who has been injured unless a timeout is requested by
and granted to his or her team in that dead ball period.
e. An immediate substitute shall be required when a timeout has been
granted for a player who is injured or bleeding, has a blood-saturated
uniform, (women) a lost, irritated or displaced contact lens and that
player is not ready to resume play after the final horn that indicates the
expiration of the timeout. The opponents shall be permitted to counter
with a substitution.
f. (Men) When an injured player is unable to attempt his free throw try(s),
the coach from the opposing team shall select one of the four remaining
players on the playing court to attempt the free throw try(s). When the
foul is flagrant and the injured player is unable to attempt the free throw
try(s), the injured player’s coach shall select any player or team member
to attempt the free throw try(s).
Section 5. Uniforms (Game Jersey and Pants)
Art. 1. The color, style and design of all teammates’ game jerseys and game pants
shall be alike.
Art. 2. Opposing team uniforms shall be of contrasting colors. The home team
shall wear light game jerseys and game pants and the away team shall wear dark
game jerseys and game pants. This rule may be altered by mutual consent of the
competing institutions. Team uniform and game jersey colors shall be defined by
Rule 3 / Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment41
the color of the neutral zone. The majority of the color of the game pants shall
be the color of the neutral zone.
Art. 3. The neutral zone(s) of the game jersey shall be of the same single color. A
tonal design effect is permitted within the neutral zone(s) provided the tonal shift
is not more than 15 percent of any one shade of color.
Art. 4. The neutral zone of the game jersey shall meet the following requirements:
a. The front neutral zone shall be measured from the shoulder panel and
extend to the bottom of the game jersey. It shall be a minimum 12 inches
wide measured 6 inches in each direction from the center of the neckline.
b. The back neutral zone shall be measured from the shoulder panel and
extend to the bottom of the game jersey. It shall be a minimum 12 inches
wide measured 6 inches in each direction from the center of the neckline.
c. For the purposes of defining the neutral zone, the shoulder panel shall
be measured from the top of the shoulder/shoulder seam and extend a
maximum of 5 inches toward the bottom of the game jersey on both the
front and back.
Art. 5. Only the following are permitted in the front and back neutral zones:
a. A player or institutional name/mascot.
1. No more than two identifying names or abbreviations may be placed
on the front or back of the game jersey. The name(s) shall:
a. Identify the school, the school nickname or mascot, or the player’s
name.
b. Be placed horizontally.
c. Be placed no closer than 1 inch from the uniform number.
b. A player number with Arabic numerals.
1. Each team member’s game jersey shall be numbered on the front and
back. The number shall be located in the neutral zone(s).
2. The following numbers are legal: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
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Rule 3 / Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment
50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55. Team rosters can include 0 or 00, but not
both.
3. The numbers on the front and back of the game jersey shall be centered
horizontally in the neutral zone and be of the same color and style.
4. The number shall be at least 6 inches high on the back and at least 4
inches high on the front and not less than 1 inch wide.
5. Duplicate numbers are not permitted to be worn by members of the
same team.
6. The number shall be one single solid color that contrasts the neutral
zone and may be bordered by no more than a ½-inch border of any
color(s).
c. An institutional or conference logo meeting the restrictions of Rule 3-8.2
located in one of two places on the front of the jersey (1) the apex of the
neckline; (2) between the apex of the neckline and the shoulder seam on
either the right or left side, and in only one place on the back of the jersey,
the apex/center of the neckline as close to the neckline as is possible.
The same logo cannot appear on both the front and the back. When an
institution’s logo appears on the front, then the conference logo, when
used, must appear on the back and vice versa.
d. An American flag located between the apex of the front neckline and the
shoulder seam on the left side of the game jersey and meeting the size
restrictions of Rule 3-8.2.
e. A colored neckline not to exceed 1 inch in width.
Art. 6. There shall be no other letters, numbers, or decorative elements between a
number and a name unless it is part of the institution’s official logo.
Art. 7. There shall be no color or design restrictions outside the neutral zones.
Note: Starting with the 2012-2013 season, the uniform rules in Rule 3-5.1-.7, as
designated by the shading, shall be required.
Art. 8. Game jerseys shall be tucked in the game pants.
Note: The first time an official must tell a player to tuck in the game jersey, the
official shall issue a warning to the head coach. The next time any player on the
same team has the game jersey untucked, that player shall leave the game until
the next opportunity to substitute. The official shall enforce this rule at the next
dead ball after observing the violation.
Art. 9. An institutional and/or conference logo meeting the restrictions of Rule
3-8.2 is permitted on the game shorts.
Section 6. Undergarments
Art. 1. An undershirt is considered to be part of the game jersey and must be a
color similar to that of the game jersey as defined by the neutral zone. In addition,
the sleeves and neckline of undershirts shall be unaltered (e.g., no cut-off sleeves
or cut necklines). Both sleeves shall be of the same length and not extend beyond
the elbows. No logos, decorations, trim, commemorative patches, lettering or
numbering may be used on an undershirt.
Art. 2. Undergarments shall not extend below the game pants and shall be of the
same color as that of the game pants. (Men) Undergarments that extend below
Rule 3 / Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment43
the game pants are permitted for medical reasons but their use shall be verified
by either the individual’s coach or team’s medical personnel.
Section 7. Headbands and wristbands
Art. 1. Any item that goes entirely around the head, such as headbands or hair
control devices shall:
a. Be a single non-abrasive and unadorned item made of cloth, elastic, fiber,
soft leather, pliable plastic or rubber;
b. Be single solid-colored, similar to the dominant color of the game jersey,
white, black or beige;
c. Be not wider than 2 inches;
d. Bear one manufacturer’s logo or one institutional logo/mascot that shall
meet the restrictions of Rule 3-8.2. These logos shall appear only once;
and
e. Exclude hard items including, but not limited to, barrettes, beads and
bobby pins.
Art. 2. Wristbands shall meet the same restrictions as headbands as stated in
3-7.1.
Art. 3. Wristbands and headbands shall be uniform to each other for the entire
team.
Section 8. Logos, labels, trademarks, patches
Art. 1. A single manufacturer’s or distributor’s normal logo, label or trademark
meeting the size restrictions of 3-8.2 is permitted once on the game jersey, once
on the game pants and once on all other items of apparel excluding the undershirt.
Art. 2. The following shall be contained within a four-sided geometrical space
(i.e. rectangle) that does not exceed 2¼ square inches:
a. A manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo, label or trademark
b. An institutional or conference logo/mascot.
c. A commemorative or memorial patch.
d. A flag.
Art. 3. When an institution’s uniform or any item of apparel worn by a studentathlete contains an identification label or washing instructions, they shall be
located no more than 2 inches from the bottom of the game jersey’s torso and the
entire label shall be contained within a four-sided geometrical space not to exceed
2 ¼ square inches. The following may be included in the identification label:
a. The manufacturer’s normal logo, label or trademark.
b. Space for a team member’s name and number.
c. The institution’s name or logo and/or the conference’s name or logo.
Art. 4. (Women) Commemorative/memorial patches meeting the size restrictions
of 3-8.2 are permitted on socks.
Section 9. Players’ Equipment
Art. 1. The referee shall not permit any player to wear equipment that in his or
her judgment is dangerous to other players.
Art. 2. Elbow, hand, finger, wrist or forearm guards, casts or braces made of
fiberglass, plaster, metal or any other nonpliable substance, shall be prohibited.
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Rule 3 / Players, Substitutes and Player Equipment
Art. 3. The prohibition of the use of hard substance material does not apply to
the upper arm, shoulder or leg when the material is padded so as not to create a
hazard for other players.
Art. 4. Pliable (flexible or easily bent) material, covered on all exterior sides and
edges with no less than 1/2-inch thickness of a slow-rebounding foam, may be
used to immobilize and protect an injury.
Art. 5. Equipment that could cut or cause an injury to another player shall be
prohibited, without respect to whether the equipment is hard. Excessively long
fingernails shall be prohibited.
Art. 6. Equipment used shall be appropriate for basketball. Basketball knee
braces may be worn when they are covered properly. A protector for any injured
facial bone, even though made of hard material, shall be permissible when it does
not endanger other players. Eyeglass and mouth guard protectors are appropriate
equipment when they meet the qualifications outlined in this rule.
Art. 7. Head decorations, head wear and jewelry are illegal.
Art. 8. Any equipment that is unnatural and designed to increase a player’s height
or reach, or to gain an unfair advantage, shall be prohibited.
Art. 9. The use of an arm sleeve, knee sleeve and lower leg sleeve is permissible
for medical reasons but its use shall be verified by either the individual’s coach
or team’s medical personnel.
RULE 4
Definitions
Section 1. Airborne Shooter
Art. 1. An airborne shooter is in the act of shooting.
Art. 2. An airborne shooter is a player who has released the ball on a try for goal
until that player has returned to the floor.
Section 2. Alternating-Possession Procedure
Art. 1. The alternating-possession procedure is a method of putting the ball in
play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. (See Rule 6-3.)
Art. 2. The alternating-possession procedure starts when an official places
the ball at the disposal of a player for a throw-in. The alternating-possession
procedure ends and the arrow is reversed when a passed ball touches or is legally
touched by an inbounds player, when a player, who is located on the playing
court, touches and causes the ball to be out of bounds or when the throw-in team
commits a throw-in violation.
Art. 3. The team awarded the ball for the alternating-possession throw-in shall be
indicated by the alternating-possession arrow.
Section 3. Back Court/Front Court
Art. 1. A team’s front court shall consist of that part of the playing court between
its end line and the nearer edge of the division line, including its basket and the
inbounds part of its backboard.
Art. 2. A team’s back court consists of the rest of the playing court, including
its opponent’s basket and inbounds part of the backboard and the division line,
excluding the mathematical edge nearest the team’s basket.
Art. 3. A live ball is in the front court or back court of the team in control as
follows:
a. A ball that is in contact with a player or with the playing court shall be in
the back court when either the ball or the player (either player when the
ball is touching more than one) is touching the back court. It shall be in the
front court when neither the ball nor the player is touching the back court.
b. A ball that is not in contact with a player or the playing court retains the
same status as when it was last in contact with a player or the playing
court.
c. During a dribble from back court to front court, the ball shall be in the
front court when both feet of the dribbler and the ball touch the playing
court entirely in the front court.
Art. 4. A pass in the front court that is deflected by a defensive player so that the
ball goes into the back court may be recovered by either team.
45
46
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
Art. 5. Regardless of where the throw-in spot is located, the throw-in team may
cause the ball to go into the back court.
Art. 6. After the throw-in ends, an inbounds player in the front court, who is not
in control of the ball, may cause the ball to go into the back court.
Art. 7. A defensive player shall be permitted to secure control of the ball while
both feet are off the playing court and land with one or both feet in the back court.
It makes no difference if the first foot down was in the front court or back court.
Art. 8. After a jump ball or during a throw-in, the player in his/her front court,
who makes the initial touch on the ball while both feet are off the playing court,
may be the first to secure control of the ball and land with one or both feet in the
back court. It makes no difference if the first foot down was in the front court or
back court.
Section 4. Basket
Art. 1. Each basket consists of an 18-inch ring, its flange and braces, and
appended net through which players attempt to throw or tap the ball.
Art. 2. A team’s own basket is the one into which its players try to throw or tap
the ball. Each team shall warm up and shoot during the first half at the basket
farthest from its bench.
Art. 3. The teams shall change baskets for the second half.
Section 5. Basket Interference
Art. 1. The ball shall be considered to be within the basket when any part of the
ball is below the cylinder and the level of the ring.
Art. 2. Basket interference occurs when a player:
a. Touches the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within the
basket;
b. Touches the ball while any part of it is within the cylinder that has the ring
as its lower base;
c. Reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball before it
enters the cylinder; or
d. Pulls down a movable ring so that it contacts the ball before the ring
returns to its original position.
Art. 3. A player may have a hand legally in contact with the ball, when this
contact continues after the ball enters the cylinder or when, in such action, the
player touches or grabs the basket.
Section 6. Batting the Ball
Batting the ball is intentionally striking the ball or intentionally changing its
direction with the hand or arm.
Section 7. Bench Area
Art. 1. The boundaries of the bench area shall be formed from the outer edge of
the sideline and an imaginary line extended from the sideline to the back of the
team bench and the 28-foot line (coaching box line).
Art. 2. During any timeout or before any extra period, bench personnel and
players shall locate themselves inside an imaginary rectangle formed by the
boundaries of the sideline (including the bench), end line and an imaginary
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS47
line extended from the free-throw lane line nearest the bench area meeting an
imaginary line extended from the coaching-box line.
Section 8. Bench Personnel
Art. 1. Bench personnel includes anyone in the team bench area and any team
member before the start of the game, during the game and after the signal to end
any period.
Section 9. Blocking
Art. 1. Blocking is illegal personal contact that impedes the progress of an
opponent.
Section 10. Bonus Free Throws
Art. 1. One type of bonus free throw is a second free throw that is awarded for
each common foul (except a player-control or team-control foul) committed by a
player of a team, beginning with the seventh team foul in a half, provided that the
first free throw for the foul is successful.
Art. 2. The other type of bonus free throw occurs starting with the offending
team’s 10th team foul in a half. From this point, two free throws shall be awarded
for each common foul (except a player-control or team-control foul).
Art. 3. The team-foul total shall consist of a combination of the following fouls:
a. (Men) Personal fouls (includes player-control fouls) and CLASS A
technical fouls.
b. (Women) Personal fouls (includes player-control fouls) and player/
substitute and bench technical fouls.
Section 11. Boundary Lines
Boundary lines of the playing court shall consist of end lines and sidelines. The
inside edges of these lines define the inbounds and out-of-bounds areas.
Section 12. Charging
Art. 1. Charging is illegal personal contact by pushing or moving into an
opponent’s torso.
Section 13. Closely Guarded
Art. 1. (Men) A player in control of the ball in the front court only while holding
or dribbling the ball is closely guarded when his opponent is in a guarding stance
at a distance not exceeding 6 feet. This distance shall be measured from the
forward foot or feet of the defender to the forward foot or feet of the opponent.
Art. 2. (Women) A player in control of the ball anywhere on the playing court
while holding (not dribbling) the ball is closely guarded when her opponent is
in a guarding stance at a distance not exceeding 3 feet. This distance shall be
measured from the forward foot or feet of the defender to the forward foot or feet
of the opponent.
Art. 3. After the start of a five-second closely guarded count, in order for a
closely guarded violation to occur, there shall be continuous guarding by the
same opponent.
Art. 4. When a player is positioned between the player in control of the ball and
his or her opponent, who is within 6 feet (men) or 3 feet (women), a closely
guarded situation does not exist.
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
Section 14. Continuous Motion
Continuous motion applies to a try for field goal or free throw, but shall have no
significance unless there is a foul by the defense during the interval that begins
when the habitual throwing movement starts a try or with the touching on a tap
and ends when the ball is clearly in flight.
Section 15. Control—Player, Team
Art. 1. A player shall be in control when:
a. Holding a live ball; or
b. Dribbling a live ball while inbounds.
Art. 2. A team shall be in control when:
a. A player of the team is in control;
b. While a live ball is being passed between teammates;
c. When a player of that team has disposal of the ball for a throw-in; or
d. During an interrupted dribble.
Art. 3. Team control shall continue until the ball is in flight during a try for goal,
an opponent secures control or the ball becomes dead.
Art. 4. There shall be no team control during:
a. A jump ball;
b. The tapping of a rebound (unless it is a try for goal);
c. A try for goal after the ball is in flight;
d. The period that follows any of these acts (a-c) while the ball is being
batted (from the vicinity of other players) in an attempt to secure control;
or
e. A dead ball.
Art. 5. Team control is re-established in Article 4 of this rule when a player
secures control.
Art. 6. “Control” for purposes of establishing the alternating-possession
procedure occurs when:
a. A player is in control; or
b. The ball is handed/bounced to or placed at the disposal of the free-thrower
after a common foul or placed at the disposal of a thrower-in.
Section 16. Cylinder
The cylinder is the imaginary geometric figure that has the ring as its base and is
formed by the upward extension of that ring.
Section 17. Delay
Art. 1. A delay is any action that impedes the progress or continuity of the game.
Such actions include, but are not limited to:
a. Failure to supply scorers with data per Rule 3-3.1 (See Rule 10-2.2.a);
b. Consuming a full minute by not being ready when it is time to start either
half or any extra period (See Rule 10-2.5.a);
c. Delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly made live
or by preventing continuous play, such as but not limited to, followers
or bench personnel entering the playing court before player activity has
been terminated. When the delay does not interfere with play, it shall
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS49
be ignored, and play shall be continued or be resumed at the point of
interruption (See Rule 10-2.8.d, 10-4.7 and 10-6.2.h);
d. Repeatedly delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly
put into play, such as delaying the administration of a throw-in or free
throw by engaging in a team huddle anywhere on the playing court (See
Rule 10-2.5.b);
e. Failure to have the court ready for play after the final horn to end any
timeout (See Rule 10-2.5.c);
f. Attempting to gain an advantage by interfering with the ball after a goal or
by failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official after a whistle
is blown (See Rule 10-3.11 and 10-6.1.m); or
g. (Women) The opponents of the thrower-in having any part of their person
beyond the vertical inside plane of any boundary line before the ball has
crossed that boundary line. (See Rule 10-3-7.)
Art. 2. One team warning shall be given for each of the delays in Rule 4-17.1.d
through g. Each warning shall be reported to the official scorer. Thereafter, a
technical foul shall be assessed for the delay that has previously received a team
warning.
Section 18. Designated Spot
Art. 1. The designated spot is the location at which a thrower-in is presented
disposal of the ball out of bounds as in 4-19.1.a through .c.
Art. 2. The designated throw-in spot shall be 3-feet wide with no depth limitation.
Art. 3. The thrower-in must keep one foot on or over the designated spot until
the ball is released. Pivot foot restrictions and the traveling rule are not in effect
for a throw-in.
Section 19. Disposal of Ball
Art. 1. The ball is at the disposal of a player when it is:
a. Handed to the thrower-in or free-thrower;
b. Caught by the thrower-in or the free-thrower after it is bounced to him or
her;
c. Placed at a spot on the floor; or
d. Available to a player after a goal and the official begins the throw-in
count.
Section 20. Disqualified Player
Art. 1. A disqualified player is one who is barred from further participation in
a game after receiving a fifth foul, including personal fouls, (men) CLASS A
technical fouls and (women) all technical fouls.
Art. 2. A team member who leaves the bench area during a fight shall be
disqualified and ejected.
Art. 3. The officials shall notify the coach and then the player of any
disqualification.
Art. 4. When the coach is notified by an official that a player is disqualified,
that player becomes bench personnel, except when the disqualified individual is
ejected.
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
Art. 5. A disqualified player shall be replaced within a 20-second time limit. A
horn shall be sounded both 15 seconds before the expiration of this time limit and
at the end of the time limit, with the latter horn indicating that play shall resume.
Section 21. Dribble
Art. 1. A dribble is ball movement caused by a player in control who bats, pushes
or taps the ball to the playing court once or several times.
Art. 2. The dribble may be started by pushing, throwing, tapping or batting the
ball to the playing court.
Art. 3. During a dribble, the ball may be batted into the air, provided that it is
permitted to strike the playing court one or more times before the ball is touched
again with either hand.
Art. 4. The dribble ends when:
a. The dribbler catches or carries/palms the ball by allowing it to come to rest
in one or both hands;
b. The dribbler touches the ball with both hands simultaneously;
c. An opponent bats the ball; or
d. The ball becomes dead.
Art. 5. An interrupted dribble occurs when the ball is loose after deflecting off the
dribbler or after it momentarily gets away from the dribbler.
Art. 6. During an interrupted dribble, there shall be no player control, and the
following cannot occur:
a. Player-control foul;
b. Granting of a timeout request; or
c. (Men) Five-second closely guarded dribbling violation.
Section 22. Dunk
A dunk is a try for goal that occurs when any player gains control of a ball that
is neither in the cylinder nor on the ring and then attempts to drive, force or stuff
the ball through the basket.
Section 23. Ejection
Art. 1. Ejection is the act of immediate dismissal of an individual from
participation in a game because of a specific infraction of the rules.
a. In addition to being disqualified, an individual who is ejected shall leave
the playing court and floor area and report to his or her team’s locker room
until the game is over.
Art. 2. The following shall result in automatic ejection:
a. Committing a flagrant 2 personal or flagrant 2 technical foul;
b. Incurring the maximum number or combination of technical fouls;
c. Participating in a fight;
d. Leaving the bench area during a fight situation as bench personnel but not
participating in the fight; or
e. Participating after having been disqualified for a reason other than
ejection.
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS51
Section 24. Entering Player
An entering player is a substitute who has been beckoned onto the playing court
by an official.
Section 25. Extra Period
Art. 1. An extra period is the extension of playing time allocated to break a tie
score.
Art. 2. The length of each extra period shall be five minutes.
Section 26. Fighting
Art. 1. A fight is a flagrant 2 foul.
Art. 2. A fight is a confrontation involving one or more players, coaches or other
team personnel wherein (but not limited to) a fist, hand, arm, foot, knee or leg is
used to combatively strike the other individual.
Art. 3. When during a confrontation, an individual attempts to strike another
individual with any of the actions defined in Art. 2, whether there is contact is
irrelevant. The perpetrator shall be deemed to have been involved in a fight.
Art. 4. When during a confrontation, an individual uses unsportsmanlike acts or
comments which, in the opinion of the official, provoke the other individual to
retaliate by fighting, it shall be ruled that both individuals have been involved in
the fight.
Art. 5. When a physical confrontation has occurred, the officials shall determine
the individuals who were involved in the fight or left the bench area to participate.
Art. 6. A combative confrontation may occur when the ball is live, in which case,
it is a flagrant 2 personal foul; or when the ball is dead, and a flagrant 2 technical
foul shall be assessed.
Art. 7. When during the course of play (live ball), an individual strikes an
opponent with the hand, elbow, arm, foot, knee or leg in a nonconfrontational
manner but the act is excessive or severe, it shall be ruled as a flagrant 2 personal
foul and not a fighting action. When a defined body part is used to strike an
opponent but the contact is not severe or excessive, a judgment shall be made by
the official as to whether the contact is a flagrant 1 personal foul.
Art. 8. Anytime an individual uses a closed fist in an unsportsmanlike manner,
it shall be deemed that the individual has initiated a fighting act and shall be
penalized accordingly.
Art. 9. When any flagrant 2 foul is ruled to be a fight, the fighting penalty shall
be invoked.
Section 27. Followers
Followers are fans, bands, cheerleaders and mascots associated with a particular
team.
Section 28. Forfeit/No Contest
Art. 1. A forfeit is the termination of the game by the referee.
Art. 2. The referee shall declare a forfeit when any player, squad member or
bench personnel fails to comply with any technical-foul penalty or makes a
travesty of the game.
Art. 3. The referee shall declare a forfeit when conditions warrant.
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
Art. 4. The referee shall declare a forfeit when a team refuses to play after being
instructed to do so by an official.
Art. 5. The referee shall determine the length of time that shall elapse before a
forfeit may be declared.
Art. 6. Conference policy may include an established time limit before a forfeit
may be declared.
Art. 7. A “no contest” is when a team does not appear at the game site because of
inclement weather, an accident, vehicle breakdown, illness or catastrophic cause.
An institution shall not, for statistical purposes, declare a forfeit for nonfulfillment
of a contract, but rather shall declare a “no contest.” When officials are not
present or available to officiate, there cannot be a sanctioned game/contest.
Section 29. Foul
Art. 1. A foul is an infraction of the rules that is charged to a squad member or a
coach and is penalized in various ways. Following are the types of fouls:
Art. 2. Personal foul. A personal foul shall be a foul committed by a player that
involves illegal contact with an opponent while the ball is live.
a. Common foul. A common foul shall be a personal foul that is neither
flagrant nor committed against a player trying for a field goal, nor part of
a double, multiple or simultaneous foul.
1. Player-control foul. A player-control foul is a common foul committed:
a. (Men) By a player when he is in control of the ball.
b. (Women) By a player when she is in control of the ball or by an
airborne shooter.
2. Team-control foul. A team-control foul is a common foul that is
committed by a member of a team that has team control.
b. Double personal foul. A double personal foul occurs when two opponents
commit personal fouls against each other at approximately the same time.
c. Flagrant 1 personal foul. A flagrant 1 personal foul shall be a personal
foul that is deemed excessive in nature and/or unnecessary, but not based
solely on the severity of the act. Examples include, but are not limited to:
1. Causing excessive contact with an opponent while playing the ball;
2. Contact that is not a legitimate attempt to play the ball or player,
specifically designed to stop or keep the clock from starting;
3. Pushing or holding a player from behind to prevent a score;
4. Fouling a player clearly away from the ball who is not directly
involved with the play, specifically designed to stop or keep the clock
from starting; and
5. Contact with a player making a throw-in. (Women) This act shall also
serve as a team warning for reaching through the boundary. (See Rule
4-17.1.g.)
6. Illegal contact with an elbow that occurs above the shoulders of an
opponent when the elbows are not swung excessively per 4-36.7.a.
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS53
d. Flagrant 2 personal foul. A flagrant 2 personal foul shall be a personal
foul that involves contact with an opponent that is not only excessive, but
also severe or extreme while the ball is live.
e. Simultaneous personal foul. A simultaneous personal foul by opponents
occurs when a personal foul is committed by each team at approximately
the same time but not by opponents against each other.
Art. 3. Technical Fouls
a. Administrative technical foul. A technical foul that is not specific to
an individual’s conduct including but not limited to court/equipment
requirements, rosters, benches, illegal uniforms/numbers, scorebook, team
delays, excessive timeouts, and team followers. (See Rule 10-2.)
b. (Women) Bench technical foul. A technical foul that involves unsporting
conduct of bench personnel (See Rule 10-4).
c. (Men) CLASS A and CLASS B technical fouls. A CLASS A technical
foul involves unsportsmanlike conduct or behavior by a player, substitute,
coach or bench personnel. A CLASS B technical foul is an infraction of
the rules that neither involves contact with an opponent nor causes contact
with an opponent and falls below the limit of an unsportsmanlike act.
Examples of CLASS A and CLASS B technical fouls shall include:
1. Unsportsmanlike conduct; using profanity, vulgarity, taunting, baiting
(CLASS A);
2. Hanging on the ring, except when doing so to prevent an injury
(CLASS B).
d. (Women) Indirect and direct technical foul. Direct refers to a technical
foul assessed to a head coach for his/her own behaviors. Indirect refers
to a technical foul assessed to a head coach for the actions of only bench
personnel.
e. Double technical foul. A double technical foul occurs when opponents
commit technical fouls against each other at approximately the same time.
f. Flagrant 2 technical foul. A flagrant 2 technical foul can be either contact
or noncontact.
1. A flagrant 2 contact technical foul occurs when the ball is dead and the
contact is not only excessive, but also severe or extreme.
a. An exception may be a foul committed by an airborne shooter.
2. A flagrant 2 noncontact technical foul occurs when the ball is either
live or dead and involves extreme, sometimes persistent, vulgar,
abusive conduct.
g. Contact dead ball technical foul. A contact dead ball technical foul
occurs when the ball is dead and involves contact that is unnecessary,
unacceptable and excessive, but does not rise to the level of a flagrant 2
contact technical foul.
h. (Women) Player/Substitute technical foul. A technical foul that involves
the conduct of a player or a substitute. (See Rule 10-3.)
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
i. Simultaneous technical foul. A simultaneous technical foul occurs when
there is a technical foul committed by each team, at approximately the
same time, but not by opponents against each other.
Art. 4. False double foul. A false double foul occurs when there are fouls by
both teams, the second of which occurs before the game clock is started after it
is stopped for the first.
Art. 5. Multiple foul. A multiple foul occurs when two or more teammates
commit personal fouls against the same opponent at approximately the same time.
Art. 6. False multiple foul. A false multiple foul occurs when there are two or
more fouls by the same team such that the last foul is committed before the game
clock is started after it is stopped for the first, and such that at least one of the
attributes of a multiple foul is absent.
Section 30. Free Throw
Art. 1. A free throw is the privilege given a player to score one point by an
unhindered try for goal from within the free-throw semicircle and behind the
free-throw line.
Art. 2. A free throw starts when the ball is placed at the disposal of the freethrower.
Art. 3. A free throw ends when:
a. The try is successful;
b. It is certain the try will not be successful;
c. The try touches the floor or any player; or
d. The ball becomes dead.
Section 31. Fumble
Art. 1. A fumble shall be the accidental loss of player control when the ball
unintentionally drops or slips from a player’s grasp.
Art. 2. A fumble may be legally recovered by any player.
Section 32. Game Clock
The game clock shall be the official, visible timepiece on which the time
remaining in a period shall be displayed.
Section 33. Goal
Art. 1. A goal shall be made when:
a. A live ball that is not a throw-in enters the basket from above and remains
in or passes through the basket; or
b. A free throw enters the basket from above and remains in or passes
through the basket.
Art. 2. Whether the game clock is running or stopped shall have no bearing on
the counting of a goal.
Section 34. Goaltending
Art. 1. Goaltending occurs when a defensive player touches the ball during a
field-goal try and each of the following conditions is met: (Exceptions: Rules
10-3.6; 10-6.1.i)
a. The ball is on its downward flight; and
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS55
b. The entire ball is above the level of the ring and has the possibility, while
in flight, of entering the basket and is not touching the cylinder.
Art. 2. It is goaltending to touch the ball outside the cylinder during a free throw,
regardless of whether the free throw is on its upward or downward flight.
Art. 3. When the entire ball is above the level of the ring during a field-goal try
and contacts the backboard, it is considered to be on its downward flight. In such
a case, it is goaltending when the ball is touched by a player.
Section 35. Guarding
Art. 1. Guarding shall be the act of legally placing the body in the path of an
offensive opponent. The guarding position shall be initially established and then
maintained inbounds on the playing court.
Art. 2. There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent,
but the maximum shall be (men) 6 feet or (women) 3 feet when closely guarded.
This distance shall be measured from the forward foot or feet of the defender to
the forward foot or feet of the opponent. These distances shall apply only when
a player, (men) in the front court, is holding the ball or dribbling or (women) is
holding the ball anywhere on the playing court.
Art. 3. Every player shall be entitled to a spot on the playing court, provided that
such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. (Exception:
Rule 4-35.7)
Art. 4. To establish an initial legal guarding position on the player with the ball:
a. The guard shall have both feet touching the playing court. When the guard
jumps into position initially, both feet must return to the playing court after
the jump, for the guard to attain a legal guarding position.
b. The guard’s torso shall face the opponent.
c. No time and distance shall be required.
d. When the opponent with the ball is airborne, the guard shall have attained
legal guarding position before the opponent left the playing court.
(Exception: Rule 4-35.7)
Art. 5. To establish legal guarding position on a player without the ball:
a. Time and distance shall be required to attain an initial legal guarding
position;
b. The guard shall give the opponent the time and distance to avoid contact;
c. The distance given by the opponent of the player without the ball need not
be more than two strides; and
d. When the opponent is airborne, the guard shall have attained legal
guarding position before the opponent left the playing court.
Art. 6. To maintain a legal guarding position after the initial position has been
attained, the guard:
a. Is not required to continue having the torso face the opponent;
b. Is required to have either one foot or both feet on the playing court (cannot
be out of bounds);
c. May raise the hands or may jump within his or her own vertical plane;
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
d. May shift to maintain guarding position in the path of the dribbler,
provided that the guard does not charge into the dribbler or otherwise
cause contact;
e. May move laterally or obliquely to maintain position provided such a
move is not toward the opponent when contact occurs;
f. Is not required to have the feet on the playing court when shifting in the
path of the dribbler or when moving laterally or obliquely; and
g. May turn or duck to absorb shock when contact by the dribbler is
imminent. In such a case, the dribbler shall not be absolved from the
responsibility of contact.
Art. 7. A secondary defender cannot establish initial legal guarding position in
the Restricted Area for the purposes of drawing a player control foul/charge on
a player who is in control of the ball (i.e., dribbling or shooting) or who has
released the ball for a pass or try for goal. When illegal contact occurs within this
Restricted Area, such contact shall be called a blocking foul, unless the contact
is flagrant. (Exception: When the offensive player leads with a foot or unnatural
extended knee or wards off with the arm.)
This restriction shall not prohibit a defender, located within the restricted area, from
attempting to block a shot.
Section 36. Hands and Arms, Use of
Art. 1. The arms may be extended vertically above one’s shoulder and need not
be lowered to avoid contact with an opponent when the action of the opponent
causes contact.
a. This legal use of the arms and hands usually occurs when guarding:
1. The thrower-in;
2. The player with the ball in pressing tactics; or
3. A player with the ball who is maneuvering to try for goal by pivoting,
jumping or hooking either a pass or try for goal.
Art. 2. It shall be legal for a defender to accidentally hit the hand of a ballhandler when reaching to block or slap the ball when there is player control with
that player’s hand in contact with the ball and when that player is:
a. A dribbler;
b. Attempting a try for field goal; or
c. Holding the ball.
Art. 3. A player shall be permitted to hold his or her hands and arms in front of his
or her face or body for protection in a recoil action rather than a pushing action:
a. To absorb force from imminent contact by an opponent; or
b. When that player, who has set a blind screen, is about to be run into by the
player being screened.
Art. 4. A player shall not use the arms, hands, hips or shoulders:
a. To force his or her way through a screen; or
b. To hold the screener and then push the screener aside in order to maintain
a guarding position relative to his or her opponent.
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS57
Art. 5. It shall be illegal to extend one’s arms fully or partially, other than
vertically, so that the freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when
contact with the extended arms occurs.
Art. 6. It shall be illegal to extend one’s elbow(s) and make contact when one’s:
a. Hands are on one’s hips;
b. Hands are held near one’s chest; or
c. Arms are held approximately horizontal to the playing court when not
holding the ball.
Note: These illegal positions are most commonly used when rebounding,
screening or in the various aspects of post play.
Art. 7. The following shall be considered excessive swinging:
a. When arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung about while using the shoulders as
pivots, and the speed of the extended arm(s) and elbow(s) exceeds that of
the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot; or
b. When the speed and vigor with which the arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung
is such that injury could result if another player were contacted.
Section 37. Held Ball
Art. 1. A held ball occurs when an opponent places his or her hand(s):
a. So firmly on the ball that control cannot be obtained without undue
roughness; or
b. On the ball to prevent an airborne player from throwing the ball or
attempting a try and both players return to the playing court with both
hands on the ball or the airborne player returns to the playing court never
losing control of the ball.
Section 38. Holding
Art. 1. Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent who interferes with
the opponent’s freedom of movement.
Section 39. Inadvertent Whistle
Art. 1. An inadvertent whistle occurs any time an official blows the whistle as an
oversight and does not have a call to make.
Section 40. Incidental Contact
Art. 1. All contact shall not constitute a foul. When 10 players move rapidly in a
limited area, some contact is certain to occur. Incidental contact shall be contact
with an opponent that is permitted and does not constitute a foul.
Art. 2. Contact that is incidental to an effort by an opponent to reach a loose
ball, or contact that results when opponents are in equally favorable positions
to perform normal defensive or offensive movement, should be permitted even
though the contact may be severe or excessive.
Art. 3. Contact that does not hinder the opponent from participating in normal
defensive or offensive movements shall be considered incidental.
Art. 4. A player who is screened within his or her visual field shall be expected to
avoid contact with the screener by stopping or avoiding the screener.
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
Art. 5. A player who is screened outside his or her visual field may make
inadvertent contact with the screener. Such contact shall be incidental, provided
that the screener is not displaced when he or she has the ball.
Art. 6. When a player approaches an opponent from behind or a position from
which the player has no reasonable chance to play the ball without making
contact with the opponent, the responsibility for contact shall be that of the player
in the unfavorable position.
Section 41. Intermission
Art. 1. Intermission is the time between the first and second periods and any extra
period(s).
Section 42. Jump Ball
Art. 1. A jump ball is a method of putting the ball into play at the beginning of
the game or any extra period(s) by tossing it up between two opponents in the
center circle.
Art. 2. A jump ball shall begin when the ball leaves the official’s hand and shall
end when it touches a non-jumper, the floor, basket, backboard or an official.
Section 43. Jumpers
Jumpers are the two opposing players vying for the tip during a jump ball.
Section 44. Jump Stop
Art. 1. A jump stop is executed when a player catches the ball while moving or
dribbling with:
a. One foot on the playing court, jumps off that foot and lands simultaneously
on both feet (no pivot foot).
b. Two feet off the playing court, lands on one foot, jumps off that foot and
lands simultaneously on both feet (no pivot foot).
Art. 2. A jump stop may also be executed when the dribbler has one foot on
the playing court, initiates a jump off that foot, ends the dribble with both feet
off the playing court and lands simultaneously on both feet (either foot can be
established as the pivot foot).
Section 45. Kicking the Ball
Art. 1. Kicking the ball is striking it intentionally with any part of the leg or the
foot.
Art. 2. Accidentally striking the ball with the foot or leg shall not be a violation.
Section 46. Location of a Player
Art. 1. The location of a player (or non-player) is determined as being:
a. Where he or she is touching the floor, as far as being inbounds or out of
bounds.
b. In the front court or back court.
c. Outside the three-point line with at least one foot in contact with the
playing floor behind the line before the release of the try and the other foot
not contacting the line or the playing floor in front of the line.
Art. 2. When a player is in the air from a leap (except during a throw-in) or
when a defensive player intercepts a ball while in the air, the player’s status with
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS59
reference to these two situations shall be the same as at the time the player was
last in contact with the floor or an extension of the floor, such as a bleacher.
Art. 3. When the ball touches an official or a player who is on the playing court,
play shall continue as if the ball touched the floor at that individual’s location.
Section 47. Multiple Free Throw
A multiple free throw is a succession of free throws attempted by the same team.
Section 48. Pass
A pass is movement of the ball caused by a player who throws, bats or rolls the
ball to another player. In order for a pass to be completed, the ball shall touch
another player.
Section 49. Penalty
Art. 1. A penalty for a foul is the charging of the offender with the foul and
awarding one or more free throws, and/or awarding the ball to the opponent for
a throw-in. For any flagrant 2 foul, the penalty includes ejection of the offender.
Art. 2. The penalty for a violation is the awarding of the ball to the opponent for
a throw-in, one or more points or a substitute free throw.
Section 50. Pivot
A pivot takes place when a player who is holding the ball steps once or more than
once in any direction with the same foot, while the other foot, called the pivot
foot, is kept at its point of contact with the playing court.
Section 51. Player
A player is one of five or fewer members of a team’s personnel who is legally on
the playing court to participate. An individual shall retain player status during a
timeout.
Section 52. Playing Court
The playing court is the area on the floor that lies within the geometrical lines
formed by the inside edge of the boundary lines.
Section 53. Point of Interruption
Art. 1. Point of interruption is the point in a game in which a stoppage in play
occurs. The point of interruption is based on both the location of the ball and the
team in control and is used to determine where to resume play because of:
a. An official’s inadvertent whistle, as in Rules 4-39 and 7-5.16.
b. An interrupted game, as in Rule 5-4.
c. A correctable error, as in Rule 2-12.1.
d. Any double foul or simultaneous personal foul, as in Rule 4-29 unless
only one of the fouls is a flagrant foul.
e. Any technical foul(s). (Exceptions: (Men) single flagrant 2 technical foul
and single contact dead ball foul.)
Art. 2. Play shall be resumed after any appropriate penalty is administered or for
any of the reasons listed in 4-53.1.a through .e by one of the following methods:
a. A throw-in to the team that was in control at a designated spot nearest to
where the ball was located when the stoppage occurred.
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
1. A ball that is not in contact with a player or the playing court retains
the same status as when it was last in contact with a player or the
playing court. This does not apply to a try in flight.
b. A throw-in to the offended team (men) at the division line for a single
contact dead ball technical or a single flagrant 2 technical and (women) a
designated spot nearest to where the ball was located when the stoppage
occurred for a contact dead ball technical foul, an administrative technical
for an excessive timeout or a single flagrant 2 technical foul.
c. A free throw or a throw-in when the stoppage occurred during this activity
or when a team is entitled to such with no reset of the shot clock.
d. An alternating-possession throw-in at a designated spot with a reset of
the shot clock when the point of interruption is such that neither team
is in control and no goal, infraction, nor end of half/extra period is
involved. When there is no team control due to a try in flight and the try
is unsuccessful, the ball is awarded to the team entitled to the atlernatingpossession arrow at a spot nearest to where the try was unsuccessful.
(Exception: Rule 2-11.7.i.)
Section 54. Post Player
A post player is any offensive or defensive player in the lane area with or without
the ball with his or her back to the basket. The lane area includes the three-second
lane (Rule 4-69) and approximately three feet just outside the lane.
Section 55. Rebound
Art. 1. A rebound is an attempt by any player to secure possession of the ball
after a try for goal. In a rebounding situation, there is no player or team control.
Art. 2. To attain or maintain legal rebounding position, a player shall not:
a. Displace, charge or push an opponent.
b. Extend either or both shoulders, hips, knees or extend either or both arms
or elbows fully or partially in a position other than vertical so that the
freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when contact with any
of these body parts occurs.
c. Bend his/her body in an abnormal position to hold or displace an
opponent.
d. Violate the principle of verticality.
Art. 3. Every player shall be entitled to a spot on the playing court, provided that
such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. (Exception:
Rule 4-35.7)
Section 56. Restricted Area
The restricted area is defined as the area bounded by the outer edge of the restricted
area arc, which has a 3-foot radius measured from the center of the basket and
extending to the face of the backboard (See court diagram in Rule 1). A secondary
defender is considered to be in the restricted area when any part of either foot is in
or above this area.
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS61
Section 57. Resumption of Play
Art. 1. Resumption of play is the method of putting the ball in play by placing the
ball at the disposal of the player. The resumption of play is in effect for the entire
game except to start the second half or any extra period.
Art. 2. When a team is not ready to resume play following the final horn to end
a timeout, the officials shall issue one warning to the head coach and report the
warning to the official scorer. When the same team subsequently is not prepared
to play following the final horn to end a timeout, the officials shall use the
resumption of play procedure.
Section 58. Rule
Art. 1. A rule is one of the groups of laws that govern the game.
Art. 2. A game law (commonly called a rule) sometimes states or implies that
the ball is dead or a foul or violation is involved. When it does not, it shall be
assumed that the ball is live and no foul or violation has occurred to affect the
given situation.
Art. 3. A single infraction shall not be complicated by a second infraction unless
so stated or implied.
Section 59. Scorebook
The scorebook is the book or form in which the official scorer records the statistics
of the game. Note: A standard collegiate scorebook/scoresheet is recommended.
Section 60. Screen
Art. 1. A screen is legal action by any player, offensive or defensive, with or
without the ball, which, without causing contact, delays or prevents an opponent
from reaching a desired position.
Art. 2. In establishing and maintaining legal screening tactics, the screener shall:
a. Stay within his or her vertical plane with a stance no wider than shoulder
width apart and shall not lean into the path of an opponent or extend hips
into that path, even though the feet are stationary.
b. Not be required to face in any particular direction at any time.
Art. 3. A player shall not:
a. Cause contact by setting a screen outside the visual field of a stationary
opponent that does not allow this opponent a normal step to move.
b. Make contact with the opponent when setting a screen within the visual
field of that opponent.
c. Take a position so close to a moving opponent that this opponent cannot
avoid contact by stopping or changing direction.
Art. 4. No player, while moving, shall set a screen that causes contact and delays
an opponent from reaching a desired position.
Art. 5. When both opponents are moving in exactly the same path and direction
and the screener slows down or stops and contact results, the trailing player shall
be responsible for such contact.
Art. 6. No player shall use arm(s), hand(s), hip(s) or shoulder(s) to force through
a screen or to hold or push the screener.
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
Art. 7. Screeners shall not line up next to each other within 6 feet of a boundary
line and parallel to it so that contact occurs.
a. Screeners shall be permitted to line up parallel to a boundary line and next
to each other without locking arms or grasping each other, provided that
the screen is set at least 6 feet from that boundary line.
Section 61. Secondary Defender
Art. 1. A secondary defender is a teammate who has helped a primary defender
after that player has been beaten by an opponent because he/she failed to establish
or maintain a guarding position. A defensive player is beaten when the offensive
player’s head and shoulders get past the defender.
Art. 2. A secondary defender is a teammate who double teams a low post player.
Art. 3. After an offensive rebound, there are no secondary defenders when the
rebounder makes an immediate move to the basket.
Art. 4. In an outnumbering fast-break situation, any defensive player(s) initially
shall be a secondary defender.
Section 62. Shooter
A shooter is a player who attempts a try for a field goal or a free throw.
Section 63. Shot Clock
A shot clock is one of the two official visible timepieces that display the amount
of time the team in control has to release a try for a field goal so that it hits the
ring or the flange.
Section 64. Shot-Clock Period
A shot-clock period is the period of time beginning when team control is established
or re-established after loss of possession and the shot clock is properly started. The
shot-clock period ends when the shot clock is properly started for the next shotclock period.
Section 65. Shot-Clock Try
A shot-clock try for field goal is defined as the ball having left the shooter’s hand(s)
before the sounding of the shot-clock horn and then striking the ring or flange, or
entering the basket.
Section 66. Substitute
A substitute is a team member who has reported to the scorers’ table that he or she
wishes to become a player and is waiting or has waited at the scorers’ table to be
beckoned into the game by an official.
Section 67. Tap
Art. 1. A tap is a type of try for field goal whereby a player attempts to score two
or three points by directing a live ball into his or her team’s basket with his or
her hands or fingers.
Art. 2. A tap shall start when the player’s hand(s) or finger(s) touch the ball.
Art. 3. A tap shall end when it is successful, when it is certain that the tap is
unsuccessful, when the ball touches the floor or when the ball becomes dead.
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS63
Section 68. Team Member
A team member is a member of bench personnel who is in uniform and is eligible
to become a player.
Section 69. Three-Second Lane
The three-second lane is the area in the front court that is bounded by the end line,
the free-throw lane lines and the free-throw line, and includes such lines.
Section 70. Throw-in/Thrower-in
Art. 1. A throw-in is the method of putting the ball in play from out of bounds.
Art. 2. A thrower-in is the player attempting the throw-in as outlined in Rule 7-6.
Art. 3. A throw-in and the throw-in count shall begin when the ball is at the
disposal of the player entitled to the throw-in.
Art. 4. A throw-in shall end when a passed ball touches or is legally touched by
an inbounds player or when a player, who is located on the playing court, touches
and causes the ball to be out of bounds or when the throw-in team commits a
throw-in violation.
Art. 5. A thrower-in shall have five seconds from receiving disposal of the ball
to release the throw-in. The throw-in count shall end when the ball is released by
the thrower-in so that the ball goes directly into the playing court.
Section 71. Timeout
Art. 1. A designated allocation of time, varying in length as defined in Rule 5-13,
provided to a team that causes a stoppage in the game.
Art. 2. The electronic-media timeout format consists of a series of timeouts
provided to a team to ensure designated time allottments for advertising segments.
Section 72. Traveling
Art. 1. Traveling occurs when a player holding the ball moves a foot or both feet
in any direction in excess of prescribed limits described in this rule.
Art. 2. A player who catches the ball with both feet on the playing court may
pivot, using either foot. When one foot is lifted, the other is the pivot foot.
Art. 3. A player who catches the ball while moving or dribbling may stop and
establish a pivot foot as follows:
a. When both feet are off the playing court and the player lands:
1. Simultaneously on both feet, either may be the pivot foot;
2. On one foot followed by the other, the first foot to touch shall be the
pivot foot;
3. On one foot, the player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land
on both; neither foot can be the pivot foot.
b. When one foot is on the playing court:
1. That foot shall be the pivot foot when the other foot touches in a step;
2. The player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both;
neither foot can then be the pivot foot.
Art. 4. After coming to a stop and establishing the pivot foot:
a. The pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the playing court, before
the ball is released on a pass or try for goal;
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RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS
b. The pivot foot shall not be lifted before the ball is released to start a
dribble.
Art. 5. After coming to a stop when neither foot can be the pivot foot:
a. One or both feet may be lifted, but may not be returned to the playing
court, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal;
b. Neither foot shall be lifted, before the ball is released, to start a dribble.
Art. 6. It is traveling when a player falls to the playing court while holding the
ball without maintaining a pivot foot.
Section 73. Try for Goal/Act of Shooting
Art. 1. A try for field goal is an attempt by a player to score two or three points
by throwing or tapping the ball into his or her basket.
Art. 2. A three-point try shall occur when a try leaves the player’s hand when
that player is outside the three-point line with at least one foot in contact with
the playing floor behind the line and the other foot not contacting the line or the
playing floor in front of that line.
Art. 3. The try shall start when the player begins the motion that habitually
precedes the release of the ball on a try. The ball does not need to leave the
player’s hand. The arm might be held so that the player cannot throw; however,
he or she may be making an attempt.
Art. 4. A try shall end when the throw is successful, when it is certain the throw
is unsuccessful, when the thrown ball touches the floor or when the ball becomes
dead.
Art. 5. A dunk attempt is a try.
Art. 6. The act of shooting shall begin simultaneously with the start of the try and
end when the ball is clearly in flight, including when the shooter is an airborne
shooter.
Art. 7. An airborne shooter, who is fouled by an opponent, while in the air but
after the ball is released shall be considered to be in the act of shooting until that
airborne player returns to the floor.
Section 74. Uniform
A uniform shall consist of the game pants and game jersey. Game pants are the
bottom portion of the uniform. Game jerseys are the top part of the uniform.
Section 75. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Unsportsmanlike conduct is behavior or an act that is unbecoming to a fair, ethical
and honorable individual.
Section 76. Verticality
Art. 1. Verticality applies to a legal position. The basic components of the
principle of verticality are:
a. Legal guarding position must be established and attained initially, and
movement thereafter must be legal.
b. From such position, the defender may rise or jump vertically and occupy
the space within his or her vertical plane.
c. The hands and arms of the defender may be raised within his or her
vertical plane while the defender is on the playing court or in the air.
RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS65
d. The defender shall not be penalized for leaving the playing court vertically
or having his or her hands and arms extended within the vertical plane.
e. The offensive player, whether on the playing court or airborne, shall not
“clear out” or cause contact that is not incidental.
f. The defender may not “belly up” or use the lower part of the body or arms
to cause contact outside his or her vertical plane.
g. The player with the ball shall be given no more protection or consideration
than the defender in the judging of which, if either, player has violated the
principle of verticality.
Section 77. Violation
A violation is a rules infraction of the type listed in Rule 9.
Section 78. Warm-ups
Warm-ups are any pieces of clothing worn by team members that must be
removed before they become players. Warm-ups shall not be considered part of
the uniform.
RULE 5
Scoring and Timing
Regulations
Section 1. Scoring
Art. 1. A goal from the field other than from beyond the three-point line shall
count two points for the team into whose basket the ball is thrown, tapped or
directed.
Art. 2. A successful try from beyond the three-point line shall count three points
for the team when the ball is thrown or directed into its basket.
a. When a player scores a field goal in the opponent’s basket, it shall count
two points for the opponent regardless of the location on the playing court
from where it was released. Such a field goal shall not be credited to a
player in the scorebook but shall be indicated with a footnote.
Art. 3. When the official(s) permits a team to go in the wrong direction, and when
the error is discovered, all activity and time consumed shall count as though each
team had gone in the proper direction. Play shall be resumed with each team
going in the proper direction.
Art. 4. Whether the game clock is running shall have no bearing on the counting
of a goal.
Art. 5. When there is doubt whether a score was made within the shot-clock
period or whether a try for goal contacted the ring or flange, any activity before
the next live ball shall be canceled, with the exception of any flagrant or technical
foul and the correct time shall be added to the game clock.
Art. 6. A goal from a free throw shall be credited to the free-thrower and shall
count one point for the free-thrower’s team.
Art. 7. (Women) When a player-control foul occurs after a goal, the goal shall
be canceled.
Art. 8. The only infractions for which points are awarded are goaltending or
basket interference by the defensive team.
Art. 9. In any period, when the game clock displays 10ths of seconds and play
is to be resumed by a throw-in or a free throw when 3/10 (.3) of a second or less
remains on the game clock, a player may not gain possession of the ball and try
for a field goal. Such player can only score a field goal by means of a tap of the
pass or of a missed free throw.
Section 2. Winning Team
The winning team shall be the team that has accumulated the greater number of
points when the game ends, except in Rule 5-3.2.
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RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS67
Section 3. Forfeit
Art. 1. When a forfeit is declared (See Rule 4-28), the score shall be recorded as
2-0 and all statistics (other than the teams’ and coaches’ won-lost records) shall
be voided, unless 30 minutes of playing time has been completed on the game
clock. In that case, the score at the end of play shall stand and all other statistics
shall count.
Art. 2. When the team that is behind in the scorebook is to be declared the
winning team, that score shall be marked with an asterisk in the official statistics;
and it shall be noted that the game was won by forfeit.
Section 4. Interrupted Games
When a game is interrupted because of events beyond the control of the
responsible administrative authorities, it shall be continued from the point of
interruption unless the teams agree otherwise or there are applicable conference,
league or association rules.
Section 5. Protests
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committees do not recognize
or allow protests.
Section 6. Length of Periods
Art. 1. Playing time for varsity games shall consist of two halves of 20 minutes
each with a halftime intermission of 15 minutes. Extra periods shall be five
minutes each in length with a one-minute intermission before each.
Note: For NCAA Division I tournament games, the length of the intermission for
halftime may be increased by five minutes.
Art. 2. The length of periods for nonvarsity games may be reduced by conference,
league or association rules or by mutual agreement of both teams and the referee.
Section 7. Beginning and End of Period
Art. 1. Each period shall begin when the ball becomes live.
Art. 2. Each period shall end when the red light or LED lights have become
activated. When the light fails to operate or is not visible, each period shall end
with the sounding of the game-clock horn.
a. In games when the red light is not present, the game-clock horn shall
terminate players’ activity.
b. In games with a 10th-of-a-second game clock display and where an official
courtside monitor is used, the reading of zeros on the game clock is to be
used to determine whether a try for goal occurred before or after the
expiration of time in any period. When the game clock is not visible, the
officials shall verify the original call with the use of the red/LED light(s).
When the red/LED light(s) are not visible, the sounding of the game-clock
horn shall be used. When definitive information is unattainable with the
use of the monitor, the original call stands.
Art. 3. Each period shall end when time expires except that:
a. When the ball is in flight during a try, the period shall end when the try
ends.
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RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS
b. When a held ball or violation occurs so near the expiration of time that the
game clock is not stopped before time expires, the period shall end with
the held ball or violation. (Exception: Rule 2-13.3.a.2).
c. When a foul occurs so near the expiration of time that the official timer
cannot stop the game clock before time expires or when the foul occurs
after time expires but while the ball is in flight during a try, the period shall
end when the free throw(s) and all related activity have been completed.
(Exception: Rule 2-13.3.c)
1. After the red light or LED lights have been activated to end a game,
or after the game-clock horn sounds, when the red light or LED
lights are not present in a game without a courtside monitor or the
reading of zeros in a game with a courtside monitor, only those free
throw(s) necessary to determine a winner or whether an extra period is
necessary shall be awarded.
Art. 4. In any period, when the game clock displays 10ths of seconds and play
is to be resumed by a throw-in or a free throw when 3/10 (.3) of a second or less
remains on the game clock, a player may not gain possession of the ball and try
for a field goal. Such player can only score a field goal by means of a tap of the
pass or of a missed free throw.
Art. 5. Except for disqualification or ejection, no penalty or part of a penalty shall
carry over from one half or extra period to another.
Art. 6. No correction of a timing mistake shall be carried over from one half or
extra period. Such a mistake shall be corrected before the start of the subsequent
intermission.
Art. 7. When a technical foul occurs after the ball has become dead to end a
period that is to be followed by another period, the next period shall be started
by administering the free throws. Play shall resume at the point of interruption
for a technical foul. When the technical is a single flagrant 2 foul, a contact dead
ball technical foul, or (women) an administrative technical foul for an excessive
timeout, the ball is awarded to the offended team at the division line on either
side of the playing court.
a. When there is no way to determine whether there will be an extra period
until the free throws for a technical foul are administered, the free throws
shall be attempted immediately, as if the technical foul had been part of
the preceding period.
Section 8. Extra Period
Art. 1. When the score is tied at the end of the second half, play shall continue
without change of baskets for one or more extra period(s) with a one-minute
intermission before each extra period. The game shall end when, at the end of any
extra period, the score is not tied.
Art. 2. The length of each extra period shall be five minutes. As many such
periods as are necessary to break the tie shall be played.
Art. 3. Each extra period is an extension of the second half.
Section 9. Start Game Clock
Art. 1. After time has been out, the game clock shall be started when the official
signals time in. When the official neglects to signal, the official timer shall be
RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS69
authorized to start the game clock unless an official specifically signals that time
shall continue to be out.
Art. 2. When play is started by a jump ball, the game clock shall be started when
the tossed ball is legally touched.
Art. 3. When a free throw is not successful and the ball is to remain live, the game
clock shall be started when the ball is legally touched by or touches a player on
the playing court.
Art. 4. When play is resumed by a throw-in, the game clock and shot clock shall
be started when the ball is legally touched by or touches a player on the playing
court.
Section 10. Stopping Game and Shot Clocks
The game clock and shot clock, if running, shall be stopped when an official:
Art. 1. Signals:
a. A foul.
b. A held ball.
c. A violation.
Art. 2. Stops play:
a. At the expiration of time for each period.
b. Because of an injury, blood or a lost, displaced or irritated contact lens.
c. To confer with the scorers, timer or shot-clock operator.
d. Because of unusual delay in a dead ball being made live.
e. For any emergency.
Art. 3. Grants a coach’s or player’s visual or oral request for a timeout.
Art. 4. Recognizes a request by the head coach or a player for a timeout after a
goal until the subsequent throw-in begins.
Art. 5. Responds to the official timer’s signal to grant a head coach’s request
to address the possibility of a correctable error as in Rule 2-12 or to determine
whether a timing, scoring or alternating-possession mistake needs to be prevented
or rectified or to determine whether a flagrant 2 personal foul, flagrant 2 contact
technical or (women) flagrant 1 foul for illegal elbow contact above the shoulders
of an opponent or a (women) contact dead ball technical foul for illegal contact
with an elbow above the shoulders of an opponent occurred. The appeal to the
official shall be presented at the scorers’ table, where a coach of each team may
be present.
Art. 6. Suspends play immediately when necessary to protect an injured player.
Art. 7. Suspends play after the ball is dead or controlled by the injured player’s
team or when the opponents complete a play after a player is injured.
a. A play shall be completed when a team withholds the ball from play by
ceasing to attempt to score or advance the ball to a scoring position.
Art. 8. Suspends play at the earliest possible time when a player incurs a wound
that causes bleeding or has blood on his or her body caused by blood from another
player’s wound. Allow for 20 seconds to remedy the situation before instructing
the player to leave the game.
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RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS
Art. 9. Recognizes each successful field goal in the last 59.9 seconds of the
second half or any extra period.
Section 11. Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
The following articles pertain to mistakes and malfunctions in games played
without a replay/television equipment. For timing mistakes and malfunctions in
games with replay/television equipment, see Rule 2-13.
Art. 1. When an obvious timing mistake has occurred because of the failure to
start or stop the game clock properly, the mistake shall be corrected by the referee.
After the mistake of either failing to start or stop the game clock, such a mistake
shall be corrected:
a. During the first dead ball and before the ball is touched inbounds or out of
bounds by a player other than a thrower-in.
b. When the clock should have been continuously running, the mistake shall be corrected before the second live ball is touched inbounds
or out of bounds by a player other than a thrower-in.
No timing mistake correction shall be carried over from one half or extra period to
another. Such a mistake shall be corrected before the start of intermission
Art. 2. When the referee blows the whistle to signal for the game clock to be
stopped and has definite knowledge that time has elapsed before the game clock
stopped, the referee shall instruct the official timer to put the correct time on the
game clock.
Art. 3. The officials shall make the final decision when there is doubt as to
whether a score was made within the shot-clock period or whether a try for goal
contacted the ring or flange.
Art. 4. When an obvious mistake by the shot-clock operator has occurred
in failing to start, stop, set or reset the shot clock or when a shot clock has
malfunctioned, the mistake or the malfunctioning problem may be corrected in
the shot-clock period in which it occurred only when the official has definite
information relative to the mistake or malfunctioning problem and the time
involved. Any activity, after the mistake or malfunctioning problem has been
committed and until it has been rectified, shall be canceled, excluding any
flagrant foul or technical foul.
Art. 5. When the game clock has malfunctioned, the problem shall be corrected
in the half or extra period in which it occurred when the officials have knowledge
of the problem.
Section 12. Timeouts Not Granted
Art. 1. No timeouts shall be granted:
a. To the opponents of the throw-in team after the throw-in starts.
b. During an interrupted dribble.
c. To a player or coach when an airborne player’s momentum is carrying
him/her out of bounds or into the backcourt.
d. Unless there is player control by the requesting team. (Exception: Rule
5-12.1.c.)
e. Until after the jump ball to begin the game ends and either the clock is
stopped or a player is in control of the ball.
RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS71
Section 13. Timeouts Charged
Art. 1. A timeout shall be granted and charged after a player or head coach makes
a visual or oral request in .a through .c or the conditions in .d and .e exist:
a. When a player of that team is in control of the ball (this includes throw-ins
and free throws) (Exception: Rule 5-12.1.c.).
b. When the ball is at the disposal of the player; or
c. When the ball is dead.
d. When the appeal for a correctable error is reviewed and the official’s
ruling is not reversed.
e. When the appeal to review the monitor for a flagrant 2 or (women)
flagrant 1 foul for contact dead ball technical foul for elbow contact
above the shoulders of an opponent does not result in a flagrant foul being
charged.
Art. 2. During any timeout, bench personnel and players shall locate themselves
inside an imaginary rectangle formed by the boundaries of the sideline (including
the bench), end line, and an imaginary line extended from the free-throw lane line
nearest the bench area meeting an imaginary line extended from the coaching-box
line.
Art. 3. During a 30-second timeout, players shall stand inside the boundary lines.
Art. 4. A single charged timeout shall not exceed:
a. 75 seconds for a full timeout in games not involving the electronic-media
timeout format.
b. 60 seconds for a 60-second timeout in a game involving electronic-media
timeout format.
c. 30 seconds for a 30-second timeout.
Art. 5. A warning horn to alert teams to prepare to resume play shall be sounded
15 seconds before the expiration of any charged or electronic-media timeout.
Art. 6. A second game-clock horn shall be sounded at the end of any charged or
electronic-media timeout and play shall resume immediately. (Exception: Rule
4-57.2).
Art. 7. A timeout shall be charged to a team for either length or fraction thereof
consumed under Rules 5-10.3 and 5-10.4, regardless of the amount of time
consumed.
Art. 8. In games NOT involving the electronic-media timeout format the timeout
format shall be:
a. Four 75-second timeouts and two 30-second timeouts for each team per
regulation game.
b. The four 75-second timeouts may be used at any time.
c. The two 30-second timeouts may be used at any time.
d. When there is an extra period(s), each team shall be entitled to one extra
75-second timeout per extra period in addition to any timeouts it has not
used previously.
e. The extra timeout shall not be granted until after the ball becomes live to
begin the extra period(s).
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RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS
Art. 9. When the electronic-media agreement calls for FEWER THAN THREE
electronic-media timeouts in one half, the format shall be as follows:
a. Four 75-second timeouts and two 30-second timeouts for each team per
regulation game.
b. The four 75-second timeouts can be used at any time.
c. The two 30-second timeouts can be used at any time.
d. These electronic-media timeouts shall occur at the first dead ball after the
minute marks specified by the electronic-media agreement.
e. When either of the teams uses a 75-second timeout in either the first or second
half, that timeout shall replace the next agreed-upon electronic-media timeout
for that half. The timeout shall be 75 seconds or the length called for by the
electronic-media agreement.
1. The first timeout requested by either team in the second half shall become
the electronic-media timeout and shall be 75 seconds long or the length
called for by the electronic-media agreement.
f. When there is an extra period(s), each team is entitled to one extra 75-second
timeout per extra period in addition to any timeouts it has not used previously.
g. The extra timeout shall not be granted until after the ball becomes live to begin
the extra period.
Art. 10. When the electronic-media agreement calls for AT LEAST THREE
electronic-media timeouts in either half, the format shall be as follows:
a. Four 30-second timeouts for each team per regulation game.
1. Each team may carry up to three 30-second timeouts into the second half.
b. One 60-second timeout for each team per regulation game that may be used
any time during the game.
c. Depending on the electronic-media agreement, these electronic-media timeouts
shall occur at the first dead ball after the 15-, 10- and 5-minute marks or the
16-, 12-, 8- and 4-minute marks when the game clock is stopped.
d. The first timeout requested by either team in the second half shall become the
length of a timeout called for by the electronic-media agreement:
1. In any extra period the first timeout granted to either team may become an
electronic-media timeout.
e. When a timeout is granted and creates the first dead ball after one of the 15-,
10-, and 5- minute marks or the 16-, 12-, 8- and 4-minute marks, the electronicmedia timeouts for those specified times shall occur after the next dead ball.
(Exception: Rule 5-13.10.d.)
f. Each team shall be entitled to one additional 30-second timeout during each
extra period in addition to any timeouts it has not used previously.
g. The extra timeout shall not be granted until after the ball ball becomes live to
begin the extra period.
Note: For NCAA Division I tournament games, the men’s or women’s Division
I basketball committee may make the first team-called timeout in both halves an
electronic-media timeout.
RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS73
Note: For all NCAA tournament games, the electronic-media timeout format may be
used without the presence of paid advertising.
Art. 11. In games involving the electronic-media timeout format, when a foul
(personal or technical) is committed that causes the ball to become dead at one of the
specified time marks on the game clock for electronic-media timeouts, that electronicmedia timeout shall be taken and then the free throw(s) shall be administered after the
timeout.
Art. 12. Injury:
a. A timeout may be requested by and granted to a team when that team has an
injured player, a player who is bleeding or has a uniform that is saturated with
blood, or (women) a player with a lost, displaced or irritated contact lens and
that player desires to remain in the game. When the condition is remedied
within a granted timeout the player is permitted to remain in the game.
b. When a timeout is charged for an injury, a bleeding player, a player’s uniform
that is saturated with blood or (women) a player with a lost, displaced or
irritated contact lens or a correctable error, and that timeout:
1. Is granted at the first dead ball at one of the specified time marks on the
game clock for electronic-media timeouts, that timeout shall become an
electronic-media timeout.
2. Is the first 30-second timeout granted during the second half of the game,
that timeout shall become an electronic-media timeout.
c. Either one 75-second or 30-second timeout, in games not involving electronic
media, or either one 30-second timeout or 60-second timeout, in games
involving electronic media, shall be charged in Rule 5-10.2.b, regardless of the
amount of time consumed when an injured player remains in the game.
Art. 13. Successive charged timeouts:
a. May be requested by a player or a coach from the same team.
b. Shall not be granted after the expiration of playing time for the second half or
after the expiration of any extra period.
c. When granted, players are permitted to sit on their bench only when the request
for successive 30-second timeouts has been made in advance of the first
timeout.
d. When granted, a warning horn shall be sounded 15 seconds before the
expiration of the final timeout.
Art. 14. Shortened timeouts:
a. The team that requests a timeout may shorten that timeout when the captain/
head coach notifies the official of the team’s intent. (Exception: The first
team-called timeout of the second half or extra period in a game involving
electronic-media timeout format as in Rule 5-13.10.d).
b. When a request is made to shorten any timeout for a substitution(s), the signal
for shortening a timeout shall be given and play shall be resumed immediately.
c. In games involving the electronic-media timeout format, when a timeout has
been recognized to be shortened for the sole purpose of making substitutions
and the timeout causes the first dead ball after one of the specified time marks
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RULE 5 / SCORING AND TIMING REGULATIONS
for electronic-media timeouts (15-, 10- and 5- or 16-, 12-, 8- and 4-minute
marks), that timeout shall become an electronic-media timeout.
d. When a request has been made to shorten any timeout for a purpose other
than for substitution(s), a warning horn shall be sounded immediately and 15
seconds later another signal shall be sounded to resume play.
Art. 15. In games not involving the electronic-media timeout format, one 75-second
timeout or one 30-second timeout, when the 75-second timeouts have been used,
and in games involving the electronic-media timeout format either one 30-second or
60-second timeout shall be charged to the team making the appeal in Rule 5-10.5,
when no correction is made or when the time limit for correcting an error under Rule
2-12 has expired.
Art. 16. Cheerleaders and mascots are permitted on the playing court only during a full
timeout, an electronic-media timeout or an intermission.
Art. 17. Bands/amplified music are permitted to play or be played only during any
timeout or intermission.
Section 14. No Timeout Charged
Art. 1. No timeout shall be charged when:
a. In Rule 5-10.2.b, an injured player is ready to play immediately or is replaced.
b.(Men) The clock was stopped to remedy and a reasonable amount of time was
used to remedy a lost or displaced eyeglass or contact lens situation.
c. In a blood situation or (women) a situation involving a lost, displaced or
irritation from a contact lens, the condition is remedied within a 20-second time
period.
d. In Rule 5-10.5, the timeout is specifically requested for the purpose of
preventing or rectifying a correctable error or timing, scoring or an alternatingpossession mistake, and such a mistake was prevented or rectified or when
the monitor review of the flagrant/technical fouls did not result in a foul being
charged.
1. When the time limit for correcting an error, a timing mistake, an
alternating-possession mistake or the charging of a flagrant/technical foul
has expired, a 75-second timeout or a 30-second timeout when a 75-second
timeout is not available shall be charged to the offending team in a game
not involving the electronic-media timeout format and either a 30-second
or 60-second timeout charged to the offending team in a game involving
the electronic-media timeout format.
Section 15. Excessive Timeout
Art. 1. Timeouts in excess of the allotted number may be requested and shall be
granted at the expense of an administrative technical foul charged to the offending
team for each taken and (women) loss of possession of the ball.
Art. 2. A 75-second timeout in games not involving the electronic-media timeout
format or a 30-second timeout in games involving the electronic-media timeout format
shall be charged to and may be used by the team requesting the granted excessive
timeout.
RULE 6
Live Ball and Dead
Ball
Section 1. Periods—How Started
Art. 1. The game and each period start when the ball becomes live.
Art. 2. The second half shall start with the team that controlled the alternatingpossession arrow at the end of the first half given disposal of the ball at the
division line opposite the scorer’s table.
Art. 3. After a dead ball, play may be resumed in one of the following three ways:
jump ball, by placing the ball at the disposal of the thrower-in or by placing the
ball at the disposal of a free-thrower.
Art. 4. The ball shall become live when:
a. On a jump ball, the ball leaves the official’s hand.
b. On a throw-in, the ball is at the disposal of the thrower-in.
c. On a free throw, the ball is at the disposal of the free-thrower.
Section 2. Held Ball—Alternating-Possession Procedure
Art. 1. In held-ball situations, teams shall alternate taking possession of the ball
at a designated spot nearest to where the held ball occurred.
Art. 2. The team that does not obtain control of the initial jump ball shall start the
alternating-possession procedure when the next alternating-possession situation
occurs by being awarded the ball at a designated spot nearest to where the held
ball occurred.
Art. 3. After an initial jump ball or a jump ball for the start of an extra period(s)
when possession is not gained by either team, which would establish the
alternating-possession procedure, a jump ball shall take place between any two
players.
Art. 4. Before the start of the second half, the direction of the possession arrow
shall be changed (to account for the teams switching ends of the court), indicating
that the team that the arrow favored at the end of the first half shall maintain that
status to start the second half.
Section 3. Alternating-Possession Situations
Art. 1. The ball shall be put in play by the team entitled to the throw-in at a
designated spot where:
a. A held ball occurs.
b. The ball goes out of bounds as in Rule 7-3.
c. A double or simultaneous free-throw violation occurs unless another free
throw or a throw-in is to follow.
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RULE 6 / LIVE BALL AND DEAD BALL
d. After a free-throw violation is committed by each team or technical foul
occurs when there is no team control.
e. A live ball lodges between the backboard and the ring or comes to rest on
the flange. (Exception: Rule 9-5.1.c.)
f. The ball becomes dead when neither team is in control and no goal or
infraction or end of a period is involved.
g. An inadvertent whistle occurs, and there is no player or team control.
Art. 2. The direction of the alternating-possession arrow shall be reversed
immediately after an alternating-possession throw-in ends. That throw-in shall
end when a passed ball touches or is legally touched by an inbounds player or
when a player, who is located on the playing court, touches and causes the ball to
be out of bounds or when the throw-in team commits a throw-in violation
Art. 3. The opportunity to make an alternating-possession throw-in shall be lost
when the throw-in team violates the throw-in provisions. (See Rule 9-5.)
Art. 4. A foul by either team during an alternating-possession throw-in shall not
cause the throw-in team to lose the alternating-possession arrow.
Section 4. Position for Jump Ball
Art. 1. For any jump ball, each jumper shall have both feet inside the half of the
center circle that is farther from his or her team’s basket.
Art. 2. Each jumper may face in either direction.
Art. 3. The referee or designee shall toss the ball upward between the jumpers
in a plane at right angles to the sidelines, to a height greater than either of the
jumpers can jump and so that the ball will drop between them. The jump ball may
be repeated when these provisions are not met.
Art. 4. When the ball touches the playing court without being touched by at least
one of the jumpers, the official shall toss the ball again.
Art. 5. The jump ball and these restrictions end when the ball touches one of the
eight non-jumpers, the playing court, the basket, the backboard or when the ball
becomes dead.
Section 5. Dead Ball
Art. 1. The ball shall become dead or remain dead when:
a. Any goal is made.
b. It is apparent that the free throw will not be successful on a free throw for
a technical foul or a false double foul or a free throw that is to be followed
by another free throw.
c. A held ball occurs or the ball lodges between the backboard and the ring
or comes to rest on the flange.
d. An official blows the whistle except when the try is in flight.
e. Time expires for a half or extra period.
f. An official blows the whistle when a foul is committed by a shooter’s
teammate before the ball is released for a try for goal.
g. An official blows the whistle when any floor violation (Rules 9-3 through
9-14) occurs, there is basket interference or goaltending (Rule 9-16) or
there is a free-throw violation by the free-thrower’s team (Rule 9-1).
RULE 6 / LIVE BALL AND DEAD BALL77
Section 6. Ball Does Not Become Dead
Art. 1. A live ball shall not become dead until the try in flight ends when:
a. An official’s whistle is blown.
b. Time expires for a half or extra period.
c. A foul occurs.
Art. 2. A live ball shall not become dead when a foul is committed by an opponent
of a player who starts a try for goal before a foul occurs, provided that time does
not expire before the ball is in flight.
Art. 3. A live ball shall not become dead when the ball is in flight on a try for
field goal or during a free throw when an opponent swings his or her arms or
elbows excessively without making contact. When the shooter, tapper or his or
her teammates commit this infraction, the ball shall become dead immediately.
Art. 4. While a free throw is in flight, the ball shall not become dead when:
a. An official blows the whistle.
b. A foul occurs.
RULE 7
Out of Bounds and
the Throw-in
Section 1. Out of Bounds—Player, Ball
Art. 1. A player shall be out of bounds when he or she touches the floor or any
object other than a person on or outside a boundary line. An airborne player’s
status shall be where he or she was last in contact with the floor.
Art. 2. The ball shall be out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of
bounds; any other person, the floor or any object on or outside a boundary; the
supports or back of the backboard; or the ceiling, overhead equipment or supports.
Art. 3. The ball shall be out of bounds when any part of the ball passes over the
backboard from any direction.
Section 2. Ball Caused To Go Out of Bounds
Art. 1. The ball shall be caused to go out of bounds by the last player to touch or
to be touched by the ball before the ball goes out, provided that the ball is out of
bounds because of touching something other than a player who is out of bounds.
Art. 2. When the ball is out of bounds because of touching or being touched by
a player who is on or outside a boundary, such player shall have caused the ball
to go out of bounds.
Section 3. Ball Touched Simultaneously/Officials’ Doubt
Art. 1. Play shall be resumed by use of the alternating-possession arrow when the
ball goes out of bounds and:
a. Was last touched simultaneously by two opponents, both of whom are
inbounds or out of bounds.
b. When the officials are in doubt as to who last touched the ball.
Section 4. Ball Awarded Out of Bounds
Art. 1. The ball shall be awarded out of bounds after:
a. A violation as in Rule 9 or a simultaneous violation.
b. The last free throw of a penalty for a technical foul. (Exception: Rule
8-4.3)
c. A field goal or a successful free throw for a personal foul as in Rule
8-4.1.a or an awarded goal as in Rule 9-16.
d. The ball becomes dead while a team is in control provided that no
infraction or the end of a period is involved.
e. A player-control foul.
f. A team-control foul.
g. A common foul before the bonus rule goes into effect.
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RULE 7 / OUT OF BOUNDS AND THE THROW-IN79
h. The last free throw for a flagrant personal foul.
i. Any double personal or technical fouls, simultaneous personal or
technical fouls. (Exception: Rule 10-1 Penalty f)
j. An inadvertent whistle.
k. A held ball as in Rule 4-37.
Section 5. Out of Bounds, Ball in Play from
Art. 1. When the ball is out of bounds after any violation as outlined in Rules 9-3
through 9-14, an official shall place the ball at the disposal of an opponent of the
player who committed the violation for a throw-in from the same designated spot
nearest to where the violation occurred.
Art. 2. When a throw-in provision is violated, the new throw-in shall be from the
same designated spot as that of the original throw-in.
Art. 3. After a dead ball, as listed in Rule 7-4.1.d, any player of the team in
control shall make the throw-in from a designated spot nearest to where the dead
ball occurred.
Art. 4. After a common foul before the bonus rule takes effect, any player of the
offended team shall make the throw-in from a designated spot nearest to where
the foul occurred.
Art. 5. Anytime a player-control foul or team-control foul occurs, any player of
the offended team shall make the throw-in from the designated spot nearest to
where the foul occurred.
Art. 6. After a successful goal as listed in Rule 7-4.1.c,
a. The team not credited with the score shall make the throw-in from the end
of the court where the goal was made and it shall make the throw-in from
any point out of bounds on the end line when the following occurs:
1. A common foul is committed near the end line before the bonus is in
effect;
2. A flagrant 1 or 2 personal or (women) a flagrant 2 technical foul by the
defensive team is committed near the end line;
3. A goaltending or basket interference violation by the defensive team;
4. The ball is intentionally kicked by the defensive team along the end
line during the throw-in; or
5. A timeout is granted.
b. In 7-5.6.a.1 through .5, any player of the throw-in team may make a direct
throw-in or may pass the ball along the end line to a teammate(s) who is
also out of bounds.
Art. 7. After a technical foul, any eligible player or team member of the offended
team may attempt the free throws, and the ball shall be put back in play at the
point of interruption.
[Exceptions: A single flagrant 2 technical foul before the start of the game
or extra period, play shall resume by awarding the ball to the offended team
at a designated spot at the division line on either side of the playing court.
(Men) After a single flagrant 2 technical foul or a single contact dead ball
technical foul, play shall resume by awarding the ball to the offended team
at a designated spot at the division line on either side of the playing court.
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RULE 7 / OUT OF BOUNDS AND THE THROW-IN
(Women) After a single flagrant 2 technical, an administrative technical foul
an excessive timeout, and a contact dead ball technical, play shall resume at
the point of interruption by awarding the ball to the offended team.]
Art. 8. After any double personal or technical fouls or any simultaneous personal
or technical fouls when there is team control, play shall resume at the point of
interruption unless only one of the fouls is a flagrant foul in which case, play
shall be resumed with a throw-in to the offended team at the (men) division line
for a single contact dead ball technical foul, single flagrant 2 technical foul and
(women) point of interruption for a single contact dead ball technical foul, an
administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout, and a single flagrant 2
technical foul.
Art. 9. After any double personal or technical fouls or any simultaneous personal
or technical fouls committed when there is no team control, play shall resume at
the point of interruption (Exception: Rule 7-5.10 and 10- 1 Penalty f)
Art. 10. After any double personal or technical fouls or any simultaneous
personal or technical fouls, unless only one of the fouls is a flagrant foul and is
committed while the try is in flight, play shall resume as follows:
a. When the try is successful, the ball is awarded to the offended team
(women) at the end line or (men) at the division line for a single contact
dead ball technical foul or a single flagrant 2 technical foul.
b. When the try is unsuccessful, the ball is awarded to the offended team
at (women) a designated spot nearest to where the try was unsuccessful or
(men) at the division line for a single contact dead ball technical foul or a
single flagrant 2 technical foul.
Art. 11. After a flagrant 1 or 2 personal foul, a player of the team to which the
throw-in has been awarded shall make the throw-in from a designated spot
nearest to where the foul occurred. (See Rule 7-5.6.a.2.)
Art. 12. (Men) After a flagrant 2 technical foul or a single contact dead ball
technical foul, any team member of the offended team may attempt the free
throws, and the ball shall be put back in play by any player of that team from a
designated spot at the division line at either side of the playing court.
Art. 13. After the administration of the penalty for a personal foul or a technical
foul, the penalty for a single flagrant 2 technical foul, a single contact dead ball
technical foul, or (women) an administrative technical foul for an excessive
timeout shall be administered. The ball shall be put back into play by a player of
the offended team at a designated spot at (men) the division line at either side of
the playing court or (women) the point of interruption.
Art. 14. After the administration of a technical foul, the penalty for a subsequent
technical foul shall be administered. The ball shall be put back into play at
the point of interruption, which is where the first technical foul was assessed.
[Exceptions: A single flagrant 2 technical foul before the start of the game or
extra period, play shall resume by awarding the ball to the offended team at a
designated spot at the division line on either side of the playing court. (Men)
After a single flagrant 2 technical foul and a single contact dead ball technical
foul. (Women) After a single flagrant 2 technical foul, a single contact dead ball
technical foul, or an administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout].
RULE 7 / OUT OF BOUNDS AND THE THROW-IN81
Art. 15. After a free-throw violation by the shooting team as listed in Rule 9-1,
any opponent of the shooting team shall make the throw-in from a designated spot
nearest to where the violation occurred.
Art. 16. After an inadvertent whistle, play shall be resumed at the point of
interruption.
Section 6. Throw-in
Art. 1. The throw-in shall start and the throw-in team shall have team control
when the ball is at the disposal of a player entitled to the throw-in.
Art. 2. A throw-in shall end when a passed ball touches or is legally touched by
an inbounds player or when a player, who is located on the playing court, touches
and causes the ball to be out of bounds or when the throw-in team commits a
throw-in violation.
Art. 3. The thrower-in shall release the ball within five seconds so that the pass
goes directly into the playing court, except as provided in Rule 7-5.6.b.
Art. 4. The throw-in count shall end when the ball is released by the thrower-in
so that the ball goes directly onto the playing court.
Art. 5. The thrower-in shall not leave the designated spot until he/she has released
the ball and the thrown-in ball crosses the plane of the sideline or end line.
Art. 6. Until the throw-in ball crosses the plane of the sideline or end line:
a. The thrower-in may not touch the ball until it touches or is legally touched
by another player inbounds.
b. No opponent of the thrower-in shall have any part of his or her person over
the inside plane of the boundary line.
c. Teammates shall not line up next to each other within 6 feet of a boundary
line and parallel to it when an opponent desires a spot between the
positions.
d. Teammates may occupy adjacent positions near the sideline or end line
when the teammates take adjacent positions that are perpendicular to the
sideline or end line.
Art. 7. When the ball is located out of bounds, the thrower-in may pass the ball
into the back court.
Art. 8. Regardless of where the throw-in spot is located, the throw-in team may
cause the ball to go into the back court.
Art. 9. After the throw-in ends, an inbounds player in the front court who is not
in control of the ball may cause the ball to go into the back court.
Art. 10. When the ball is awarded to the wrong team, the error must be rectified
before the throw-in ends.
RULE 8
Free Throw
Section 1. Positions During Attempt
Art. 1. When a free throw is awarded, an official shall take the ball to the freethrow line of the offended team.
Art. 2. After allowing reasonable time for players to take their positions, the
official shall put the ball in play by placing it at the disposal of the free-thrower.
Art. 3. The same procedure shall be followed for each free throw of a multiple
free throw.
Art. 4. A maximum of six players (four opponents of the free-thrower and two
teammates of the free-thrower) shall be permitted on the lane. All other players
shall be behind the free-throw line extended and behind the three-point field-goal
line.
a. The two lane spaces closest to the end line shall remain open.
b. The first space on each side of the lane that is above and adjacent to the
block is designated for an opponent of the free-thrower. The second lane
space on each side of the lane is designated for a teammate of the freethrower. The third available space on each side of the lane is designated
for an opponent of the free-thrower.
c. Players shall be permitted to move along and across the lane to occupy a
vacant space within the limitations listed in this rule.
Art. 5. Each of the first lane spaces above and adjacent to the block shall be
occupied by an opponent of the free-thrower unless the resumption-of-play
method of placing the ball at the disposal of the free-thrower is in effect.
Art. 6. A player shall position one foot near the outer edge of the free-throw lane
line. The other foot may be positioned anywhere within the designated 3-foot
lane space.
Art. 7. Only one player shall occupy any part of a designated lane space. Only the
first lane space above and adjacent to the block on each side must be occupied.
Art. 8. When the ball is to become dead regardless of whether the last free throw
for a specific penalty is successful, players shall not take positions along the
free-throw lane.
Section 2. Who Attempts
Art. 1. Personal fouls—The free throw(s) awarded because of a personal foul
shall be attempted by the offended player, unless one of the conditions of Article
2 and 3 of this section are met.
Art. 2. The free throw(s) that were to be attempted by the offended player shall
be attempted by that player’s substitute unless no substitute is available, in which
case any teammate shall attempt the free throw(s) under the following conditions:
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RULE 8 / FREE THROW83
a. When the offended player must withdraw because of injury, he or she is
bleeding or has blood on his or her uniform or person;
b. (Women) Lost, displaced or irritated contact; or
c. When the offended player is disqualified.
Art. 3. (Men) When an injured player is unable to attempt a free throw try(s),
one of the four remaining players on the playing court shall be selected by the
opposing coach to attempt the free throw try(s) unless the committed foul was
either intentional personal or flagrant. In such a case, the injured player’s coach
shall select any player or team member to attempt the free throw try(s).
Art. 4. Technical fouls—The free throws awarded because of any technical foul
may be attempted by any player or eligible team member on the offended team,
who shall be designated by the head coach or captain of the offended team;
however, the same player shall shoot both free throws.
Section 3. 10-Second Limit
The try for goal shall be attempted within 10 seconds after the ball has been
placed at the disposal of the free-thrower at the free-throw line.
Section 4. Next Play
Art. 1. After a free throw that is not followed by another, the ball shall be put in
play by a throw-in:
a. As after a field goal, when the try is successful and is for a personal foul,
other than an intentional or flagrant foul.
b. At the point of interruption when the free throw is for a technical foul.
[Exceptions: (Men) When a single flagrant 2 technical foul or a single
contact dead ball technical foul is assessed, play shall resume by
awarding the ball to the offended team at the division line at either side
of the playing court. (Women) When a single flagrant 2 technical foul, a
single contact dead ball technical foul or an administrative technical foul
for an excessive timeout, the ball shall be put back in play by the offended
team at the point of interruption.]
c. By any player of the free-thrower’s team from the designated spot for any
flagrant personal foul or any intentional personal foul.
Art. 2. After the game-clock horn has sounded to end regulation time or an extra
period, only the free throw(s) necessary to determine the winner or whether
an(other) extra period is necessary shall be awarded. The free throws shall be
attempted immediately, as if the foul had been part of the preceding period.
Art. 3. Play shall resume with the administration of the penalty for a personal foul
after a penalty for any technical foul. [Exceptions: A single flagrant 2 technical
foul, a single contact dead ball technical foul or (women) an administrative
technical foul for an excessive timeout.]
Art. 4. After the administration of the penalty for a personal foul or a technical
foul, a single flagrant 2 technical foul or a single contact dead ball technical foul,
or (women) an administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout shall be
administered.
Art. 5. After the penalty for a technical foul is assessed before the start of a
game or before any extra period, play shall resume with a jump ball. [Exceptions:
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RULE 8 / FREE THROW
A single flagrant 2 technical foul, a single contact dead ball technical foul or
(women) an administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout.]
a. When a technical foul is assessed during the intermission for halftime,
the point of interruption shall be a throw-in for the team with the
alternating-possession arrow in its favor. Exceptions: A single flagrant 2
technical foul, a single contact dead ball technical foul or (women) an
administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout.
Section 5. Ball in Play When Free Throw Is Missed
When a free throw for a personal foul is unsuccessful, or when there is a multiple
free throw for a personal foul and the last free throw is unsuccessful, the ball
shall remain live.
Section 6. Ball in Play After False Double Foul
Art. 1. After the last free throw for a false double foul (See Rule 4-29.4), the ball
shall be put in play as if the penalty for the last foul of the false double foul were
the only one administered when the last foul was a single flagrant 2 technical foul,
a single contact dead ball technical foul or (women) an administrative technical
foul for an excessive timeout.
Art. 2. When one of the fouls of a false double foul is a technical foul (single
or double), play shall be resumed at the point of interruption unless one of the
double fouls is a single flagrant 2 technical foul, single contact dead ball technical
foul or (women) an administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout. In such
a case apply 8-6.1.
Art. 3. When the last foul is any double foul, play shall resume at the point of
interruption. (Exception: Rule 10-1 Penalty f)
Section 7. Ball in Play After False Multiple Foul
Art. 1. After the last free throw for a false multiple foul (Rule 4-29.4), the ball
shall be put in play as if the penalty for the last foul of the false multiple foul were
the only one administered when the last foul was a single flagrant 2 technical foul,
single contact dead ball technical foul or (women) an administrative technical
foul for an excessive timeout.
Art. 2. When one of the fouls of a false multiple foul is a technical foul, play shall
be resumed at the point of interruption. (Exceptions: A single flagrant 2 technical
foul, single contact dead ball technical foul or (women) an administrative
technical foul for an excessive timeout.)
RULE 9
Violations and
Penalties
Section 1. Free Throw
Art. 1. The try shall be attempted from within the free-throw semicircle and
behind the free-throw line.
Art. 2. After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free-thrower:
a. The free-thrower shall release the try within 10 seconds and in such a way
that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring or flange before the free
throw ends.
b. The free-thrower shall not purposely fake a try nor shall the free-thrower’s
teammates nor opponents purposely fake a violation.
c. The free-thrower shall not break the vertical plane of the free-throw line with either foot until the ball strikes the ring, flange or backboard or
until the free throw ends.
d. The free-thrower shall not enter the semicircle. The free-thrower shall not
leave the semicircle before the try contacts the ring, flange, or backboard
or when the free throw ends.
e. No player shall enter or leave a marked lane space or contact any part of
the court outside the marked lane space until the free-thrower has released
the ball.
f. No opponent shall disconcert (e.g., taunt, bait, gesture or delay) the freethrower.
g. Players not in a legal marked lane space shall remain behind the freethrow line extended and behind the three-point field-goal line until the ball
strikes the ring, flange or backboard, or until the free throw ends.
h. Players occupying any of the legal marked lane spaces on each side of the
lane may break the vertical plane of a lane-space boundary once the freethrower has released the ball. (See Rule 8-1.)
i. Players occupying a legal marked lane space may not have either foot
beyond the vertical plane of the outside edge of any legal lane boundary or
beyond the vertical plane of any edge of space (2 by 36 inches) designated
by a legal lane space mark or beyond the vertical plane of any edge of the
lane until the ball is released by the free-thrower.
j. Neither team shall have more than the maximum number of players
permitted on the free-throw lane.
k. An opponent of the free-thrower shall occupy each lane space above and
adjacent to the block.
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Art. 3. No teammate of the free-thrower may occupy either of the legal lane
spaces nearest the basket.
Section 2. Free-Throw Violation Penalties
Art. 1. When a violation is by the free-thrower only or the free-thrower’s
teammate only, no point shall be scored by that free throw. The ball shall become
dead when the violation occurs. The ball shall be awarded at a designated spot
nearest to where the violation occurred, unless another free throw is to be
awarded.
a. When disconcertion by an opponent is followed by a violation by the free
thrower, a substitute free throw shall be awarded.
Art. 2. When a violation is by the free-thrower’s opponent only:
a. When the try is successful, the goal shall count, and the violation shall be
disregarded.
b. When the try is not successful, the ball shall become dead when the free
throw ends, and a substitute free throw shall be attempted by the same freethrower under the same conditions as those for the original free throw.
Art. 3. When there is a marked-lane space violation by a free-thrower’s teammate
and an opponent:
a. When the first violation is by the free-thrower’s teammate, the ball shall
become dead when the violation occurs, no point shall be awarded for that
free throw. When no other free throw is to follow, play shall be resumed
by awarding the ball to the opponent of the team that committed the first
violation at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred.
b. When the first violation is by the opponent of the free-thrower’s team
and the try is successful, the goal shall count, and the violation shall be
disregarded. When the try is not successful, the ball shall become dead
when the free throw ends, and a substitute free throw shall be attempted by
the same free-thrower under the same conditions as those for the original
free throw.
Art. 4. When there is a violation, first by the free-thrower’s opponent followed
by a violation of the free-thrower or a free-thrower’s teammate, each team has
violated. A double violation has been committed. No points shall be awarded.
When no other free throw is to follow, play shall be resumed by awarding the
ball to the team entitled to an alternating-possession throw-in at a designated spot
nearest to where the violations occurred.
a. When both offenders are in marked lane spaces, the second violation is
ignored as in Rule 9-2.3.b.
b. When the second violation is by the free-thrower or a free-thrower’s
teammate, who is behind the free-throw line extended and the three-point
line, both violations are penalized.
c. When an opponent’s fake causes the free-thrower or a teammate of the
free-thrower to violate, only the fake shall be penalized.
d. When disconcertion by an opponent is followed by a violation by the freethrower, a substitute free throw shall be awarded.
Art. 5. When there is a simultaneous violation by each team, the ball shall become
dead. No points shall be awarded. When no other free throw is to follow, play
RULE 9 / VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES87
shall be resumed by awarding the ball to the team entitled to the alternatingpossession throw-in at a designated spot nearest to where the violations occurred,
unless another free throw is to be awarded.
Section 3. Ball Out of Bounds
Art. 1. A player shall not cause the ball to go out of bounds.
Art. 2. The ball shall be out of bounds when any part of the ball passes over the
backboard from any direction.
Section 4. Player Out of Bounds
Art. 1. A player who steps out of bounds under his/her own volition and then
becomes the first player to touch the ball after returning to the playing court has
committed a violation.
a. A violation has not been committed when a player, who steps out of
bounds as permitted by Rule 7-5.6.b, does not receive the pass along the
end line by a teammate and is the first to touch the ball after his or her
return to the playing court.
Art. 2. After the throw-in is completed, the thrower-in must touch the playing
floor inbounds before touching the ball.
Section 5. Throw-in Provisions
Art. 1. The thrower-in shall not:
a. Leave a designated spot.
b. Fail to pass the ball directly into the playing court so that after it crosses
the boundary line, it touches or is legally touched by an inbounds player
or touched by a player, who is on the playing court, and causes the ball to
be out of bounds.
c. Execute a throw-in that lodges between the backboard and the ring or
comes to rest on the flange.
d. Consume more than five seconds from the time the throw-in starts until
the ball is released.
e. Carry or hand the ball to a teammate who is on the playing court.
f. Touch the playing court or touch the ball in the playing court before it has
touched another player.
g. Throw the ball so that it enters the basket before touching anyone, strikes
the back of the backboard or its supports, passes over the backboard, or
bounces into the playing court from a balcony or from the floor out of
bounds.
Art. 2. No player other than the thrower-in shall:
a. Perform the throw-in or be out of bounds after a designated-spot throw-in
begins.
b. Be out of bounds when he or she touches or is touched by the ball after
it has crossed the vertical inside plane of the boundary line. Repeated
infractions shall result in (men) a CLASS B technical foul and (women)
a player/substitute technical foul.
Art. 3. (Men) The opponents of the thrower-in shall not have any part of their
person beyond the vertical inside plane of any boundary line before the ball
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RULE 9 / VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
has crossed that boundary line. Repeated infractions shall result in a CLASS B
technical foul.
Section 6. Travel, Kick, Fist, Through Basket from Below
A player shall not travel or run with the ball, intentionally kick it, strike it with
the fist or cause it to pass through the basket and enter the cylinder from below.
Section 7. Double Dribble
Art. 1. A player shall not dribble a second time after the player’s first dribble has
ended, unless the player subsequently loses control because of:
a. A try for field goal.
b. A bat by an opponent.
c. A pass or fumble that has then touched or been touched by another player.
Section 8. Jump Ball
Art. 1. A player shall not violate Rule 6-4.
Art. 2. The toss shall be repeated when both teams simultaneously commit
violations during a jump ball.
Art. 3. The ball shall be touched by one or both of the jumpers after it reaches
its highest point.
Art. 4. Neither jumper shall touch the tossed ball before it reaches its highest
point, leave the center circle until the ball has been touched by a jumper, catch
the jump ball, nor touch it more than twice.
Art. 5. When the referee or designated official is ready to make the toss, a nonjumper shall not move onto the center circle or change position around the center
circle until the ball has left the official’s hand.
Art. 6. None of the eight non-jumpers shall have either foot break the plane of the
geometrical cylinder that has the center circle as its base, nor shall any player take
a position in any occupied space until the ball has been touched.
Art. 7. Teammates shall not occupy adjacent positions around the center circle
when an opponent indicates a desire for one of these positions before the referee
is ready to toss the ball.
Art. 8. Players may move around the center circle without breaking the
geometrical cylinder that has the center circle as its base after the ball has left the
referees hand(s) during the toss.
Section 9. Three-Second Rule
Art. 1. A player shall not be permitted to have any part of his or her body remain
in the three-second lane for more than three consecutive seconds while the ball is
in control of that player’s team in his or her front court.
a. A team in control of the ball for a throw-in adjacent to a front-court
boundary line may not be called for a three-second violation.
Art. 2. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the threesecond lane for less than three seconds, dribbles or moves in immediately to try
for field goal.
a. The player shall not pass the ball instead of trying for goal.
RULE 9 / VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES89
Section 10. (Men) 10-Second Violation
The 10-second count shall begin when a player is in control of the ball in his back
court. An inbounds player (and his team) shall not be in continuous control of a
ball that is in his back court for 10 consecutive seconds.
Section 11. Shot Clock
Art. 1. The team in control shall attempt a try for field goal within 35 seconds for
(men) and within 30 seconds for (women) after any player on the playing court
legally touches or is touched by the ball on a throw-in or when a team initially
gains possession of the ball from a jump ball, an unsuccessful try for field goal
or a loose ball.
Art. 2. It is a violation when a try for field goal does not leave the shooter’s hand
before the expiration of the allotted shot-clock time (as indicated by the sounding
of the shot-clock horn) or when it does leave the shooter’s hand before the
expiration of the alotted shot-clock time and the try does not subsequently strike
the ring or flange or enter the basket.
Section 12. Ball in Back Court
Art. 1. A player shall not be the first to touch the ball in his or her back court
(with any part of his or her body, voluntarily or involuntarily) when the ball came
from the front court while the player’s team was in team control and the player or
a teammate caused the ball to go into the back court.
Art. 2. A player who is the first to secure control of the ball in the front court
after a jump ball or a throw-in while both feet are off the playing court shall not
be permitted to cause the ball to go into the back court, except as permitted in
Rule 4-3.8.
Section 13. Elbow(s)
Art. 1. A player shall not excessively swing his or her arm(s) or elbow(s), even
without contacting an opponent.
Art. 2. A player may extend arm(s) or elbow(s) to hold the ball under the chin or
against the body.
Art. 3. Action of arm(s) and elbow(s) resulting from total body movement as
in pivoting or movement of the ball incidental to feinting with it, releasing it,
or moving it to prevent a held ball or loss of control shall not be considered
excessive.
Section 14. Closely Guarded
Art. 1. Closely guarded violations occur when:
a. (Men) A closely guarded player anywhere in his front court holds or
dribbles the ball for five seconds. This count shall be terminated during
an interrupted dribble.
b. (Women) A closely guarded player in control of the ball anywhere on the
playing court while holding, but not dribbling, for five seconds.
Section 15. Floor-Violation Penalties (Applies only to
Rules 9-3 through 9-14)
Art. 1. The ball shall become dead or remain dead when a violation occurs. The
ball shall be awarded to a nearby opponent for a throw-in at a designated spot
nearest to where the violation occurred.
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RULE 9 / VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Art. 2. When the ball passes through a basket during the dead-ball period
immediately after a violation, no point(s) can be scored and the ball shall be
awarded to an opponent at a designated spot nearest to where the violation
occurred.
Section 16. Basket Interference and Goaltending
Art. 1. A player shall commit neither basket interference (Rule 4-5) nor
goaltending (Rule 4-34).
Section 17. Basket-Interference and Goaltending Penalties
Art. 1. When the violation is at the basket of the opponent of the offending player,
the offended team shall be awarded:
a. One point for basket interference or one point and (men) a CLASS B
technical foul or (women) a player/substitute technical foul for goaltending
when, during a free throw, the ball is on its upward or downward flight.
b. Two points when during a two-point field-goal try.
c. Three points when during a three-point field-goal try.
Art. 2. The crediting of the score and subsequent procedure shall be the same as
when the awarded score results from the ball going through the basket, except
that the official shall hand/bounce the ball to a player of the team entitled to the
throw-in.
Art. 3. When the violation is at a team’s own basket, no points shall be scored
and the ball shall be awarded to the offended team at a designated spot nearest to
where the violation occurred.
Art. 4. When the violation results from touching the ball while it is in the basket
after entering from below, no points shall be scored and the ball shall be awarded
to the opponent at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred.
Art. 5. When there is a violation by both teams, play shall be resumed by
awarding the ball to the team entitled to the alternating-possession throw-in at a
designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred.
RULE 10
Fouls and Penalties
Section 1. Personal Fouls
Art. 1. A player shall not hold, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an
opponent by extending arm(s), shoulder(s), hip(s) or knee(s) or by bending his
or her own body into other than a normal position or by using any unreasonably
rough tactics.
Art. 2. A player shall not contact an opponent with his or her hand unless such
contact is only with the opponent’s hand while it is on the ball and is incidental
to an attempt to play the ball.
Art. 3. A player shall not use his or her hand(s) on an opponent to inhibit the
freedom of movement of the opponent in any way.
Art. 4. A player shall not extend the arm(s) fully or partially other than vertically
so that freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when contact with the
arm(s) occurs.
Art. 5. A player shall not use the forearm and/or hand to prevent an opponent
from attacking the ball during a dribble or when trying for goal.
Art. 6. A player may hold his or her hand(s) and arm(s) in front of his or her own
face or body for protection and to absorb force from an imminent charge by an
opponent.
Art. 7. Contact caused by a defensive player approaching a player with the ball
from behind is pushing; contact caused by the momentum of a player who has
tried for goal is charging.
Art. 8. A dribbler shall neither charge into nor contact an opponent in the
dribbler’s path nor attempt to dribble between two opponents or between an
opponent and a boundary, unless the space is sufficient to provide a reasonable
chance for the dribbler to pass through without contact.
Art. 9. When a dribbler passes an opponent sufficiently to have head and
shoulders beyond the front of the opponent’s torso, the greater responsibility for
subsequent contact shall be that of the opponent.
Art. 10. When a dribbler has obtained a straight-line path, the dribbler may not be
bumped, pushed or otherwise crowded out of that path. When an opponent is able
to legally obtain a guarding position in that path, the dribbler shall avoid contact
by changing direction or ending the dribble.
Art. 11. The player intending to become the dribbler shall not be permitted
additional rights to start a dribble or to execute a jump try for goal, pivot or feint.
Art. 12. A secondary defender as defined in Rule 4-61 cannot establish initial
legal guarding position in the restricted area for the purpose of drawing a player
control foul/charge when defending a player who is in control of the ball (i.e.,
dribbling or shooting) or who has released the ball for a pass or try. When illegal
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RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES
contact occurs within this Restricted Area, such contact shall be called a blocking
foul, unless the contact is a flagrant foul.
a. When illegal contact occurs by the offensive player leading with a foot or
unnatural, extended knee, or warding off with the arm, such contact shall
be called a player-control foul.
b. When a player in control of the ball stops continuous movement toward
the basket and then initiates illegal contact with a secondary defender in
the restricted area, this is a player control foul.
Art. 13. Illegal contact caused by the swinging of the elbow(s) that:
a. Results from total body movement is a common or flagrant 1 personal foul
b. Is excessive per Rule 4-36.7 is a flagrant 2 foul.
c. Occurs above the shoulders of an opponent is a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2
personal foul.
d. Occurs below the shoulders of an opponent is a common, flagrant 1 or
flagrant 2 personal foul.
Art. 14. Illegal contact with an elbow that does not involve the swinging of the
elbow shall be considered a foul unless the contact is incidental per Rule 4-40.
Art. 15. A player shall adhere to the rules pertaining to illegal contact, including
but not limited to, guarding as in Rule 4-35, rebounding as in Rule 4-55, screening
as in Rule 4-60 and verticality as in Rule 4-76.
Art. 16. A player shall not flagrantly or excessively contact an opponent while the
ball is live (includes fighting).
PENALTY: (Section 1) Personal fouls apply toward the team-foul total and
toward an individual’s five personal fouls for disqualification.
The ball shall be put back in play by the offended player/team
as follows:
a. A throw-in (no free throws) nearest to where the foul occurred for:
1. Each common foul before the bonus rule takes effect.
2. A player-control personal foul.
3. A team-control foul.
b. One free throw for:
1. A personal foul against a player who attempts a field goal and
whose try is successful.
2. Each foul that is a part of a multiple personal foul, but is not a
flagrant personal foul, player-control foul or team-control foul,
regardless of whether the offended team is in the bonus.
3. Each foul of a multiple foul, when a two-point try is successful or
unsuccessful.
4. Each foul of a multiple foul when the three-point try is successful.
c. Bonus free throw for:
Each common foul committed by the defensive team, beginning with
a team’s seventh foul during the half, provided that the first attempt
is successful.
d. Two free throws for:
RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES93
1. A personal foul against a player who attempts a field goal and
whose try is unsuccessful.
2. A flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 personal foul and the ball awarded to
the offended team at a designated spot nearest to where the foul
occurred.
(a)Any flagrant 2 personal foul shall result in ejection of the
offender.
3. (Women) A blocking personal foul against the airborne shooter
when the basket is missed.
4. Each common foul committed by the defensive team, beginning
with a team’s 10th foul of the half.
5. Each flagrant 2 personal foul of a multiple personal foul and the
ball awarded to the offended team at a designated spot nearest to
where the foul occurred.
6. The situation when either personal foul of a multiple foul is a
flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 personal foul , after which the ball shall be
awarded at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred.
7. Each foul of a multiple foul when a three-point try is unsuccessful.
e. Three free throws for:
A personal foul against a player who attempts a three-point field goal
and whose try is unsuccessful. When the personal foul is a flagrant
1 or flagrant 2 personal foul, the ball also shall be awarded to the
offended team at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred.
f. Point of interruption for any double personal fouls or simultaneous
personal fouls unless only one of the fouls is a flagrant foul, in which
case, play shall be resumed with a throw-in to the offended team at
the point of interruption.
g. In the case of a false double foul or a false multiple foul, each foul
shall carry its own penalty. When one of the fouls is a technical foul
(single or double), play shall be resumed at the point of interruption.
[Exception: A single flagrant 2 technical foul, a single contact dead
ball technical foul or (women) an administrative technical foul for an
excessive timeout].
1. After the last free throw after a false double/multiple foul (Rule
4-29.4), the ball shall be put in play as if the penalty for the last foul
of the false double/multiple foul were the only one administered
when the last foul was a single flagrant 2 technical foul, a single
contact dead ball technical foul or (women) an administrative
technical foul for an excessive timeout.
h. Personal-foul penalty exception: After the game-clock horn sounds
to end the second half or an extra period, only those free throw(s)
necessary to determine a winner or whether an(other) extra period is
necessary shall be awarded.
Section 2. Administrative Technical Fouls
Art. 1. The home team shall comply with the following court/equipment
requirements:
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a. Have a properly marked division line and center circle as in Rules 1-4 and
1-5.
b. Have the proper game-clock display, red/LED light and mounted shot
clock as in Rules 1-18.3, 1-18.4 and 1-19.3.
Art. 2. A team shall comply with lineup and roster requirements as follows:
a. Before the 10-minute mark is reached on the game clock that is counting
down the time before the start of the game, each team shall supply the
scorers with names and uniform numbers of squad members who may
participate, and those of the five starting players.
b. After the 10-minute mark is reached on the game clock that is counting
down the time before the start of the game and until the end of the game, a
team shall not make lineup or roster changes to the scorebook except those
changes necessitated by obvious injury, illness, blood on the uniform, a
replacement of a designated starter to shoot a technical-foul free throw, or
to correct a scoring or bookkeeping mistake.
PENALTY: Two free throws awarded to the offended team. The ball shall
be put back in play at the point of interruption.
(Art. 1) One administrative technical foul only for all
requirements regardless of the number of infractions. Penalized
before the start of the game.
(Art. 2.a) One administrative technical foul only for all
requirements regardless of the number of infractions that
occur and regardless of when they occur.
When there are administrative technical fouls by both teams
for violating 10-2.2.a, the fouls shall offset with no free throws
awarded to either team.
(Art. 2.b) One administrative technical foul only for all
requirements regardless of the number of infractions that
occur and regardless of when they occur.
Art. 3. A team or team member shall not wear:
a. A number that is identical to that of a teammate.
b. An illegal number. (See Rule 3-5.)
c. An illegal game jersey. (See Rule 3-5.)
PENALTY: Two free throws awarded to the offended team. The ball shall
be put back in play at the point of interruption.
(Art. 3.a) Penalized when discovered after the 10-minute time
limit in 3-3.1.
(Art. 3.b, 3.c) Penalized when discovered before the ball
becomes live when the individual is a player.
(Art. 3.c) When more than one team member violates, only one
administrative technical foul shall be assessed.
Art. 4. The official scorer shall not remove the scorebook and take it to the home
team’s locker room.
RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES95
Art. 5. A team shall not delay the game, when the game clock is not running, by:
a. Consuming a full minute by not being ready when it is time to start either
half or any extra period.
b. After a team warning has been issued, repeatedly delaying the game by
preventing the ball from being promptly put in play, such as delaying the
administration of a throw-in or free throw by engaging in a team huddle
anyplace on the playing court.
c. After a team warning has been issued, failure to have the court ready for
play after the final horn to end any timeout.
PENALTY: (Art. 4 and 5) Two free throws awarded to the offended team.
The ball shall be put back in play at the point of interruption.
Art. 6. A team shall not have more than five players legally on the playing court
to participate after the ball becomes live.
PENALTY: (Art. 6) Penalized when the violation occurs after the ball
becomes live. Two free throws awarded to the offended team.
The ball shall be put back in play at the point of interruption..
Art. 7. A team shall not be granted excessive timeouts without penalty.
PENALTY: Two free throws awarded to the offended team.
(Art. 7) Penalized when discovered before the ball becomes
live. (Men) The ball shall be put back in play at the point of
interruption. (Women) The ball shall be put back in play at the
point of interruption to the offended team.
Art. 8. Team followers, as in Rule 4-27, shall not commit an unsportsmanlike act,
including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Using musical instruments, amplified music or artificial noisemakers
while the game is in progress, except timeouts and intermissions.
b. Using laser pointers.
c. Throwing debris on the court after officials’ jurisdiction has begun.
d. Delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly made live
or by preventing continuous play, such as but not limited to, followers
entering the playing court before the player activity has been terminated.
When the delay does not interfere with play, it shall be ignored.
e. Using profanity or language that is abusive, vulgar or obscene.
Note 1: Before penalizing a follower(s) of a team for violating Rule
10-2.8, the officials shall have knowledge as to which team’s follower(s)
committed the act.
Note 2: When the misconduct of the follower(s) is extreme or excessive,
such behavior may be penalized by the official requesting home/contest
management to eject from the premises the team follower(s) involved in
the misbehavior. In such a case, a technical foul shall not be assessed.
PENALTY: (Art. 8) Two free throws awarded to the offended team. The
ball shall be put back in play at the point of interruption.
PENALTY: Section 2 Administrative Technical Fouls:
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The administrative technical fouls in this section do not apply
toward the team-foul total nor toward disqualification or ejection.
Section 3. (Women) Player/Substitute Technical Fouls
Art. 1. Committing an unsportsmanlike act, including, but not limited to, the
following:
a. Disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a
manner as to indicate resentment.
b. Using profanity or vulgarity; taunting, baiting or ridiculing another player
or bench personnel; or pointing a finger at or making obscene gestures
toward another player or bench personnel.
c.Committing contact that is unnecessary, unacceptable and excessive, but
does not rise to the level of a flagrant 2 contact technical foul. This foul is
called a contact dead ball technical foul.
d. Purposely obstructing an opponent’s vision by waving or placing hand(s)
near her eyes.
e. Climbing on or lifting a teammate to secure greater height.
f. Knowingly attempting a free throw to which she is not entitled.
g. Inciting undesirable crowd reaction.
h. Using tobacco.
Art. 2. A team member dunking or attempting to dunk a dead ball during the
game.
Art. 3. Grasping either basket in an excessive, emphatic manner during the
officials’ jurisdiction when the player is not, in the judgment of an official, trying
to prevent an obvious injury to self or others.
Art. 4. Intentionally slapping or striking the backboard or causing either the
backboard or ring to vibrate while the ball is in flight during a try, or while the
ball is touching the backboard, is on the basket ring, in the basket net or in the
cylinder.
Art. 5. Placing a hand(s) on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage.
Art. 6. Touching a ball outside the cylinder (goaltending) during a free throw.
Art. 7. After a team warning has been issued, the opponents of the thrower-in
having any part of their person beyond the vertical inside plane of any boundary
line before the ball has crossed that boundary line.
Art. 8. Reaching through the throw-in boundary-line plane and touching or
dislodging the ball while it is in possession of the thrower-in or being passed to a
teammate outside the boundary line as in Rule 7-5.6.b. This act shall also serve as
a team warning for reaching through the boundary. (See Rule 4-17.1.g)
Art. 9. Deceptively leaving the playing court for an unauthorized reason and
returning at a more advantageous position.
Art. 10. Purposely delaying her return to the playing court after being legally out
of bounds.
Art. 11. After a team warning has been issued, attempting to gain an advantage
by interfering with the ball after a goal or by failing to immediately pass the ball
to the nearest official after the whistle has blown.
RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES97
Art. 12. A team member entering the playing court without reporting to the
official scorers or a substitute entering the playing court without being beckoned
by an official (unless during an intermission).
PENALTY:(Arts. 1 through 12-, excluding 1.c) Two free throws awarded to
the offended team for a single player/substitute technical foul
and play is resumed at the point of interruption. For double
player/substitute technical fouls that do not include 10-3.1.c,
no free throws are awarded and play is resumed at the point
of interruption. For double player/substitute technical fouls
when one of the fouls includes 10-3.1.c, the offenders are
awarded two free throws and play is resumed at the point
of interruption with a throw-in to the offended team for the
contact dead ball technical foul. A player/substitute technical
foul shall apply toward an individual’s five personal fouls
toward disqualification, two technical fouls toward ejection
and the team-foul total.
(Art. 1.c) Two free throws awarded to the offended team for a
single player/substitute technical foul and play is resumed at the
point of interruption with a throw-in to the offended team.
Art. 13. Participating after changing her uniform number without reporting the
change to the official scorer and an official.
Art. 14. Participating after having been disqualified.
Art. 15. Leaving the playing court and going into the stands when a fight may
break out or has broken out.
Art. 16. A player flagrantly or excessively contacting an opponent while the ball
is dead.
Art. 17. Fighting as in Rule 4-26.
PENALTY: (Arts. 13 through 17) Flagrant 2 technical fouls. Two free
throws shall be awarded to any player on the offended team,
unless double flagrant 2 technical fouls are assessed. For double
flagrant 2 technical fouls, no free throws are awarded and play
is resumed at the point of interruption. For any single flagrant
2 technical foul, the ball shall be awarded to the offended team
at the point of interruption. When a single flagrant 2 technical
foul occurs during intermission for the second or any extra
period, play shall resume with a throw-in to the offended
team on either side of midcourt. These flagrant 2 technical
fouls apply toward the team-foul total and the offender(s) is
ejected. Any player(s) who actively participates in a fight shall
be ejected and subject to suspension. (See Rule 10-7.)
EJECTION:(Section 3): A single flagrant 2 technical foul or a second
technical foul charged to a player/substitute shall result in
ejection.
Section 4. (Women) Bench Technical Fouls
The head coach is responsible for the conduct and behavior of all bench personnel.
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Art. 1. Committing an unsportsmanlike act, including, but not limited to, the
following:
a. Disrespectfully addressing an official.
b. Attempting to influence an official’s decision.
c. Using profanity or language that is abusive, vulgar or obscene.
d. Taunting or baiting an opponent.
e. Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using
gestures.
f. Inciting undesirable crowd reactions.
g. Entering the playing court to attend an injured player unless done with the
permission of an official.
h. Using tobacco.
i. Refusing to occupy the team bench to which the team was assigned or to
occupy the location for a timeout or before any extra period as described
in Rule 4-7.2.
Art. 2. Using electronic transmission (including but not limited to headsets,
telephones, television, radio, audio or video Internet broadcast, heart monitor
devices, computers), or knowledge gained resulting from thereof, for coaching
purposes, to communicate to and/or from the bench area or using replay
equipment at courtside for coaching purposes.
Art. 3. When there is evidence that the head coach or bench personnel instructed
that the scorebook be removed from the scorer’s table.
Art. 4. All bench personnel shall remain seated on the bench while the ball is live,
except as follows:
a. The head coach may stand and shall remain in his or her team’s coaching
box.
b. To spontaneously react to an outstanding play, immediately sitting down
on the bench afterward.
c. A team member reporting to the scorers’ table.
d. A head coach may leave the bench area at any time to point out a scoring
or timing mistake, to request a timeout to ascertain whether a correctable
error needs to be rectified or to request a monitor review of a flagrant 1
personal foul for illegal contact with an elbow above the shoulders of
an opponent, a contact dead ball technical foul for illegal contact with
an elbow above the shoulders of an opponent, or a flagrant 2 contact
technical foul (Rule 2-12, 2-13.2.d.1.b., and 5-10.5).
e. A coach or team attendant may leave the bench area to seek information
from the official scorer or official timer during a timeout or an intermission.
Art. 5. The head coach shall replace a disqualified or injured player within 20
seconds when a substitute is available.
Art. 6. Using a laser pointer.
Art. 7. Delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly made live
or by preventing continuous play, such as bench personnel entering the playing
court before player activity has been terminated. When the delay does not
interfere with play, it shall be ignored.
RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES99
PENALTY: (Arts. 1 through 7) Two free throws shall be awarded to the
offended team unless double fouls are assessed. For double
fouls, no free throws are awarded. In either case, the ball shall
be put back into play at the point of interruption. These bench
technical fouls shall count toward an individual’s five personal
fouls for disqualification (if a team member), two technical
fouls for ejection and the team-foul total. The foul is charged to
the offender (if not the head coach) and also charged indirectly
to the head coach. If the head coach is the offender, the foul is
charged directly to him/her.
(Arts. 1, 4 and 7) When there is more than one offender
(excluding the head coach) or a single offender who cannot be
identified, one bench technical foul shall be assessed regardless
of the number of offenders. This technical foul is also charged
indirectly to the head coach.
Note: An assistant coach who replaces the ejected head coach shall
not inherit any technical fouls the head coach has accumulated.
However, the assistant coach shall be responsible for technical
fouls previously assessed to him/her.
Art. 8. Bench personnel leaving the bench area when a fight may break out or has
broken out. The head coach may leave the bench area in this case to prevent the
situation from escalating.
PENALTY: (Art. 8) Flagrant 2 technical fouls. Two free throws shall be
awarded to any player on the offended team, unless double
fouls are assessed. For double flagrant fouls, no free throws
are awarded. For any flagrant 2 technical foul, the ball shall be
awarded to the offended team at the point of interruption.
When anyone other than the head coach leaves the bench
and enters the playing court but does not participate in the
fight, only one technical foul shall be assessed regardless of
the number of offenders. This one foul is charged indirectly
to the head coach. For any single flagrant 2 technical foul,
the ball shall be awarded to the offended team at the point of
interruption. When a single flagrant 2 technical foul occurs
during intermission for the second or extra period, play shall
resume with a throw-in to the offended team on either side of
midcourt. This flagrant 2 technical foul applies toward the
team-foul total, and the offender(s) shall be ejected but not
subjected to suspension.
Art. 9. Fighting by bench personnel as in Rule 4-26.
PENALTY: (Art. 9) Two free throws shall be awarded to any player on the
offended team, unless double fouls are assessed. For double
flagrant fouls, no free throws are awarded. For any flagrant 2
technical foul, the ball shall be awarded to the offended team
at the point of interruption. When a single flagrant 2 technical
foul occurs during intermission for the second or extra period,
play shall resume with a throw-in to the offended team on
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either side of midcourt. These flagrant 2 technical fouls apply
toward the team-foul total and the offender(s) is ejected. Any
bench personnel who actively participates in a fight shall be
ejected and subject to suspension. (See Rule 10-7.) The head
coach shall be assessed one indirect technical foul for each
member of bench personnel who participates in a fight.
EJECTION:(Section 4): A single flagrant 2 technical foul, the second direct
technical foul, the third indirect technical or a combination of
one direct technical and two indirect technicals charged to the
head coach results in ejection. A single flagrant 2 technical
foul or a second technical foul charged to a member of bench
personnel results in that individual’s ejection.
Section 5. (Men) CLASS A Unsporting Technical Infractions
Art. 1. A player or substitute committing an unsportsmanlike act including, but
not limited to, the following:
a. Disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a
manner as to indicate resentment.
b. Using profanity or vulgarity; taunting, baiting or ridiculing another player
or bench personnel; or pointing a finger at or making obscene gestures
toward another player or bench personnel.
c. Inciting undesirable crowd reaction.
d. Contacting an opponent, while the ball is dead, in an unnecessary,
unacceptable and excessive manner.
e. Flagrantly (severe or extreme) contacting an opponent while the ball is
dead.
f. A flagrant noncontact infraction that involves extreme, sometimes
persistent, vulgar, abusive conduct when the ball is dead or live.
g.Participating after having been disqualified (noncontact flagrant 2
technical).
h. Leaving the playing court and going into the stands when a fight may
break out or has broken out (flagrant noncontact infraction).
i. Fighting as in Rule 4-26.
PENALTY: Two free throws shall be awarded to any member of the
offended team. No free throws shall be awarded for a double
technical foul unless one of the fouls is included in Art. 1.d,
through .i. Counts toward the team-foul total. Applies toward
disqualification and ejection (Art. 1.a through d). Flagrant
technical foul(s) (Art. 1.e through i) are nonapplicable toward
disqualification since they lead to automatic ejection. An
assessed technical foul that cannot be charged to an individual
shall be charged to the head coach (ex. Art. 1.g).
RESUMPTION OF PLAY: For any technical foul(s), play shall resume at
the point of interruption except for a single flagrant 2 technical
foul or a single contact dead ball technical foul (Art. 1.d
through .i). For a single flagrant 2 technical foul or a single
contact dead ball technical foul, the ball shall be awarded to the
RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES101
offended team at a designated spot at the division line on either
side of the playing court.
EJECTION:All CLASS A technical fouls shall apply toward ejection when
the following have been assessed: a maximum of two CLASS
A technical fouls (AA) as defined in Art. 1.a through d, one
flagrant 2 technical foul (A) or a combination of one CLASS A
technical foul and two CLASS B technical fouls (ABB).
Any individual who actively participates in a fight (Art. 1.i) shall be ejected
and is subject to suspension (See Rule 10-7).
Art. 2. Bench personnel committing an unsportsmanlike act including, but not
limited to, the following:
a. Disrespectfully addressing an official.
b. Attempting to influence an official’s decision.
c. Using profanity or language that is abusive, vulgar or obscene.
d. Taunting or baiting an opponent.
e. Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using
gestures.
f. Inciting undesirable crowd reactions.
g. Fighting by bench personnel as in Rule 4-26.
PENALTY: Two free throws shall be awarded to the offended team. No free
throws shall be awarded for double technical fouls unless one of
the technical fouls includes Art. 2.g. Counts toward the teamfoul total. Applies toward disqualification and ejection except
for Art. 2.g, which is nonapplicable toward disqualification
since it leads to automatic ejection.
Since the head coach is responsible for the conduct and
behavior of all bench personnel, when a CLASS A technical
foul (Art.2.a through g) is assessed to an offender, it shall also
be charged to the head coach as a CLASS B technical foul.
RESUMPTION OF PLAY: For any technical foul(s), play shall resume at
the point of interruption. For a single flagrant 2 technical foul
(fighting, Art. 2.g), the ball shall be awarded to the offended
team at a designated spot at the division line on either side of
the playing court.
EJECTION:All CLASS A technical fouls shall apply toward ejection when
the following have been assessed: a maximum of two CLASS
A technical fouls (AA) as defined in Art. 2.a through f, one
flagrant 2 technical foul (A), or a combination of one CLASS A
technical foul and two CLASS B technical fouls (ABB).
Any individual who actively participates in a fight (Art. 2.g)
shall be ejected and shall be subject to suspension. (See Rule
10-7.)
Note: An assistant coach who replaces the ejected head coach shall
not inherit any technical fouls the head coach has accumulated.
However, the assistant coach shall be responsible for technical
fouls previously charged to him.
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Section 6. (Men) CLASS B TECHNICAL INFRACTIONS
Art. 1. A technical foul shall be assessed to a player or a substitute for the
following infractions:
a. Purposely obstructing an opponent’s vision by waving or placing hand(s)
near his eyes.
b. Climbing on or lifting a teammate to secure greater height.
c. Knowingly attempting a free throw to which he is not entitled.
d. Possessing or using tobacco.
e. A team member dunking or attempting to dunk a dead ball before or
during the game, or during any intermission.
f. Grasping either basket in an excessive, emphatic manner during the
officials’ jurisdiction when the player is not, in the judgment of an official,
trying to prevent an obvious injury to self or others.
g. Intentionally slapping or striking the backboard or causing either the
backboard or ring to vibrate while the ball is in flight during a try, or while
the ball is touching the backboard, is on the basket ring, in the basket net
or in the cylinder.
h. Placing a hand(s) on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage.
i. Touching a ball outside the cylinder (goaltending) during a free throw.
j. Reaching through the throw-in boundary-line plane and touching or
dislodging the ball while it is in possession of the thrower or being passed
to a teammate outside the boundary line as in Rule 7-5.6.b.
k. Deceptively leaving the playing court for an unauthorized reason and
returning at a more advantageous position.
l. Purposely delaying his return to the playing court after being legally out
of bounds.
m. After a team warning has been issued, attempting to gain an advantage by
interfering with the ball after a goal or failing to immediately pass the ball
to the nearest official after the whistle had been blown.
n. A team member entering the playing court without reporting to the official
scorers or a substitute entering the playing court without being beckoned
by an official (unless during an intermission).
o. Participating after changing his uniform number without reporting the
change to the official scorer and a game official.
p. Opponents of the thrower-in shall not repeatedly have any part of their
person beyond the vertical inside plane of any boundary line before the
ball has crossed that boundary line. (See Rule 9-5.3.)
Art. 2. A technical foul shall be assessed to a coach and all bench personnel for
the following infractions:
a. Entering the playing court to attend an injured player unless done with
permission of an official.
b. Possessing or using tobacco.
RULE 10 / FOULS AND PENALTIES103
c. Refusing to occupy the team bench to which the team was assigned or to
occupy the locations for a timeout or for the start of any period as defined
in Rule 4-7.2.
d. Using electronic transmission (including but not limited to headsets,
telephones, television, radio, audio or video Internet broadcast, heart
monitor devices, computers), or knowledge gained resulting from thereof,
for coaching purposes, to communicate to and/or from the bench area or
using replay equipment at courtside for coaching purposes.
e. When there is evidence that the head coach or bench personnel instructed
that the scorebook be removed from the scorer’s table.
f. All bench personnel shall remain seated on the bench while the ball is live,
except as follows:
1. The head coach may stand but must remain completely and clearly
in his coaching box. One warning shall be issued to the head coach
before any subsequent infraction is penalized.
2. To spontaneously react to an outstanding play, immediately sitting
down on the bench afterwards.
3. A team member reporting to the scorer’s table.
4. The head coach to point out, at any time, a scoring or timing mistake
or to request a timeout to ascertain whether a correctable error needs
to be rectified or to request a monitor review for a flagrant 2 contact
technical foul. (See Rules 2-12, 2-13.2.d.1.b and 5-10.5.)
5. To seek information from the official scorer or official timer during a
timeout or an intermission.
g. The head coach shall replace a disqualified or injured player within 20
seconds when a substitute is available.
h. Delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly made live
or by preventing continuous play, such as bench personnel entering the
playing court before player activity has been terminated. In such a case,
when the delay does not interfere with play, it shall be ignored.
i. Using a laser pointer.
j. Bench personnel leaving the bench area when a fight may break out or
has broken out. The head coach may leave the bench area in this case to
prevent the situation from escalating.
PENALTY: Article 1 and Article 2.a through i. Two free throws shall be
awarded to any member of the offended team. All infractions
count toward ejection but do not count toward the team-foul
total or disqualification.
The coach is responsible for the conduct of all bench personnel.
When a CLASS B technical foul, as described in Article 2, is
assessed against an offender, it shall also be charged to the head
coach as a CLASS B technical foul.
RESUMPTION OF PLAY: Article 1 and Article 2. After the administration
of the penalty, play shall resume at the point of interruption.
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EJECTION:Article 1 and Article 2. CLASS B technical fouls apply toward
ejection when the following have been assessed: a maximum of
three CLASS B technical fouls (BBB) or a combination of one
CLASS A and two CLASS B technical fouls (ABB).
Any individual who leaves the bench area and enters the
playing court but does not participate in a fight (Art. 2.j) shall
not be assessed a CLASS B technical foul (no free throws
awarded). That individual shall be ejected but is not subject to
suspension.
Note: An assistant coach who replaces the ejected head coach
shall not inherit the accumulative technical fouls of the head
coach. However, the assistant coach shall be responsible for
technical fouls previously charged to him.
Section 7. Suspensions for Fighting
Art. 1. Any team member or bench personnel who participates in a fight
(regardless of whether he or she is a player at the time) shall be assessed a flagrant
2 technical foul. No free throws shall be attempted by either team when there are
double flagrant fouls that are offsetting.
Art. 2. The first time an individual participates in a fight during the season
(including exhibition games), the individual shall be suspended from participating
in the team’s next regular-season game (not an exhibition contest), including
tournament competition.
Art. 3. When an individual participates in a second fight during the same season,
that individual shall be suspended for the remainder of the season, including
tournament competition.
Art. 4. When an individual participates in a fight during his or her team’s final
game of the season, that individual shall be suspended from participating in
the team’s next regular-season game (not an exhibition contest) for which that
member or team personnel would be eligible.
Art. 5. When an individual with eligibility for the next season participates in a
fight during his or her final game of the season and that fight is the individual’s
second fight of the season, that individual shall be suspended for the first three
regular-season games (not exhibitions) of the next season.
Art. 6. Any team member or other bench personnel under suspension for fighting
shall not be in the team’s bench area.
Art. 7. The referee may declare a forfeit when any individual fails to comply with
any part of the penalties of this rule.
Art. 8. After a game, conference offices or the assigning authority may correct
an error about who was involved in a fight but cannot change an official’s ruling
that a fight took place or lessen the severity of the penalty. The conference office
or assigning authority may make those penalties more severe.
Appendix I
Fight-Reporting
Procedures
The following apply to situations in which a fight has been reported by
an official during his/her jurisdiction. When a fight is not reported by an
official, the conference or assigning authority may invoke its own penalty.
For the rules on suspensions for fighting see Rule 10-7.
1. The official shall inform the offender(s), the head coach and the official scorer
that an ejection for fighting has occurred (the official scorer shall note this in
the scorebook).
2. After the game, the referee shall contact the coordinator of officials/assignor
for the game and report all ejection(s) for fighting.
3. The coordinator of officials/assignor shall report the ejection(s) for fighting
to the conference commissioner or, if the offender is from an independent
institution, to that team’s athletics director.
4. The conference commissioner shall call and follow up in writing to the
following people:
a. The athletics director of the team whose individual(s) was involved; and
b. When the opponent’s individual(s) was ejected for fighting, that team’s
conference commissioner or, when that school is an independent
institution, that team’s athletics director.
5. Fight-reporting procedures should be handled quickly since the long-term
participation of the offender(s) shall be affected by a second fight.
6. Related considerations:
a. The head coach should withhold the offender(s) from the next scheduled
game even if the conference or athletics director has not contacted him or
her.
b. Institutional and conference policy dictates whether a suspended individual
shall be permitted to attend a game from which he or she is suspended.
If the individual(s) attends the game, he or she shall not be in the team’s
bench area.
c. After a game, conference offices or the assigning authority may correct
an error about who was involved in a fight but can neither change an
official’s ruling that a fight took place nor lessen the severity of the
penalty. However, the conference office/assigning authority may make the
penalty more severe.
105
Appendix II
NCAA Tobacco Policy
In accordance with NCAA bylaws, the use of tobacco by student-athletes,
or team or game personnel (e.g., coaches, athletic trainers, managers and game
officials) is prohibited in all sports during practice and competition.
Any student-athlete, or team or game personnel who uses tobacco during
practice or competition shall be disqualified for the remainder of that practice or
competition.
During regular-season play, each institution shall be responsible for enforcing
this rule for its own student-athletes, team personnel and game personnel.
During postseason play, which includes conference tournaments, play-ins and
NCAA tournament games, the governing sports authority or the games committee
shall enforce this rule.
106
Appendix III
Officiating Guidelines
Section 1. Bench Decorum
a. Coaching box. The rules committee wants the coaching box rule enforced
and technical fouls called for infractions. Coaches are expected to remain in the
coaching box. To do otherwise results in a distinct advantage that is not within
the spirit and intent of the rules. Roaming coaches also negatively influence play
by being out on the court. The rule is clear and concise. Some coaches blatantly
disregard the coaching box and many officials refuse to enforce the rule. Head
coaches have the responsibility to remain in the box and behave in a sportsmanlike
manner. Institution and conference administrators must demand that their coaches
adhere to the rules and must support officials who properly enforce the rules. The
following guidelines have been established to assist in adjudicating this situation.
1. Out of the coaching box. The rules prohibit the head coach from being outside the prescribed coaching box. After a warning, a technical foul
shall be assessed when a coach is clearly and completely outside his/her box.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct. Coaches engaging in minor conduct infractions
should receive a warning from officials. Any subsequent violation results in
a technical foul. Any egregious (blatant) conduct violation, while inside or
outside the coaching box shall be properly penalized without warning, with
a technical foul.
b. Assistant coaches and bench personnel. All bench personnel, with the
exception of the head coach, are required to be seated on the bench while the
ball is live except to react spontaneously to an outstanding play and then to
immediately return to sitting on the bench. Violations by players, and especially
assistant coaches, should not be tolerated by officials. When assistant coaches or
bench personnel are violating bench decorum rules in a minor way, the official
shall inform the head coach and request that he/she handle the situation. This is
an official warning. Any further violation by bench personnel shall result in a
technical foul assessed to the offender. Egregious (blatant) conduct violations
by assistant coaches or bench personnel need no warning and shall immediately
result in a technical foul. A technical foul assessed to bench personnel is also
assessed (women) indirectly and (men) as a CLASS B technical foul to the head
coach.
Section 2. Screening
A screen is legal action by any player with or without the ball, which, without
causing contact, delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.
A screener must maintain a normal stance with feet no wider than shoulder width
apart. If a player is engaged in illegal screening tactics and there is no contact
with the opponent, no foul has occurred. Players must adhere to the screening
rules outlined in Rule 4-60.
107
108
Appendix III / Officiating Guidelines
A foul shall be called when:
1. A defensive player is held or pushed off of his/her intended path around a
screen by use of the arms, legs or body.
2. A defensive player holds or pushes through the screen using the arms, legs
or body.
3. The screener extends the hips or buttocks to displace the defender who is
attempting to move around the screen.
4. The screener extends the legs beyond legal width and trips a defender who
is attempting to move around the screen.
5. The screener sets a “blind” screen (outside the visual field) on a stationary
defender that doesn’t allow the defender a normal step to move.
6. The screener sets a “blind” screen (outside the visual field) on a moving
defender and doesn’t allow ample time to stop or change directions;
usually one to two strides.
Section 3. (Women) Displacement
The following guidelines have been established to help coaches, players and
officials achieve a level of play that will allow freedom of movement for all
players on the court and make the game a free-flowing, exciting game to watch.
Officials must enforce these guidelines to ensure that freedom of movement is
permitted in the game.
Post Play
a. Definition. A post player is defined in Rule 4-54 as any offensive or defensive
player in the lane area with or without the ball with her back to the basket. The
lane area includes the three-second lane (See Rule 4-69) and approximately
three feet just outside the lane. An offensive post player becomes a ball
handler when, while in the lane area, she turns and faces the basket with the
ball or moves completely outside the lane area with the ball.
b. Legal activity. It is legal for a defensive player to place one or two body
parts (hands or arm-bars) on the offensive post player provided no holding,
displacing or illegal contact occurs. Legal contact occurs when offensive and
defensive players are touching and both are maintaining a legally established
position. However, when any legal contact occurs between post players to
maintain a position, an official’s awareness should be heightened and he/she
should be prepared to make a foul call when the contact becomes illegal.
c. Illegal contact. A foul shall be called when:
1. A legally established arm-bar is extended and displaces an opponent.
2. Displacement occurs from a locked and/or extended elbow.
3. A leg or knee is used in the rear of an opponent to hold or displace.
4. An offensive post player “backs-down” and displaces the defender once
that defender has established a legal guarding position.
5. The offensive post player holds, hooks or displaces the leg or body of the
defender.
6. An opponent is displaced from a legally established or obtained position.
Appendix III / Officiating Guidelines109
Ball Handler or Dribbler
a. Definition. A ball handler or dribbler is any player with player control
(holding or dribbling) outside the lane area, either facing or with her back to
the basket. An arm-bar is contact with the forearm that is away from the body.
b. Legal activity. The following are examples of legal activity:
1. A one hand “measure up” by the defense. This means, one hand (front or
back of the hand) contacting the ball-handler/dribbler and immediately
removing that hand. Also known as a “hot stove” touch. This is the
ONLY hand contact that is legal by the defense and is considered
incidental.
2. When a dribbler makes a move past a defender, and the defender’s
arm, which is against her own body, makes incidental contact with
the dribbler. Bodies may momentarily touch as long as there is no
displacement.
c. Illegal contact. A foul shall be called when:
1. The defender contacts the ball-handler/dribbler ANYTIME with two
hands.
2. The defender places a hand (front or back of the hand) on the ball-handler/
dribbler and keeps it on.
3. The defender contacts the ball-handler/dribbler more than once with the
same hand or with alternating hands.
4. The defender contacts the ball-handler/dribbler with an arm-bar.
5. Any displacement, holding or pushing occurs by either the offense or
defense.
Cutting
a. Legal activity. If the defender beats the cutter to the spot, the defender’s
position is legal and the cutter is responsible for contact.
b. Illegal contact. A foul shall be called when:
1. The cutter is held with the hands, body or arm-bar.
2. The cutter is pushed with the hands, body or arm-bar off her intended path.
3. The cutter initiates contact and pushes or holds the defender in any way.
4. Holding, pushing or displacement occurs by either the offense or defense.
Rebounding
a. Definition. A rebound is an attempt by any player to secure possession of the
ball after a try for goal. There is no player or team control on a rebound. The
act of “blocking out” an opponent on a rebound is an attempt by any player to
prevent an opponent from getting a rebound without displacing that opponent.
Backing out an opponent is displacement and should not be confused with
blocking out.
b. Legal activity. Players must remain in their established vertical plane when
rebounding and adhere to the rebounding principles in Rules 4-55 and 4-76.
c. Illegal contact. A foul shall be called when:
110
Appendix III / Officiating Guidelines
1. The offensive or defensive player uses her body to “back out” or push
an opponent from her legally established position. A player may not be
pushed farther away from the basket.
2. A player is held to prevent her from getting closer to the basket.
3. The arm(s) of the opponent are “hooked” so she is unable to extend her
arms to get the ball.
4. A player behind an established opponent uses her hands, arms, body or
legs to displace in any way.
5. An airborne rebounder is undercut and displaced; taking away her landing
space.
Section 4. (Men) Post Play
Some guidelines to officials in making correct, consistent calls in low-post
play:
a. Observe the entire play, especially when responsible for off-ball coverage.
b. Anticipate the play but not the call when post players are in fronting situations.
c. A defensive player pushing a leg or knee into the rear of the offensive player
shall be a personal foul on the defender.
d. An offensive player dislodging a defensive player from an established
position by pushing or backing in shall be a personal foul on the offensive
player.
e. A player using the “swim stroke” arm movement to lower the arm of an
opponent shall be charged with a personal foul.
f. Post players using hands, forearms or elbows to prevent an opponent from
maintaining a legal position shall be charged with a personal foul.
g. A defensive post player may use a forearm on the back of an offensive post
player who does not have the ball as long as equal pressure is being applied
and there is no dislodging by either player. When the offensive player gains
possession of the ball, the defensive post player must remove hands and
forearms from the offensive player or a personal foul shall be charged.
Section 5. (Men) Hand-Checking (Impeding the Progress of a
Player)
To curtail hand-checking, officials must address it at the beginning of the game,
and related personal fouls must be called consistently throughout the game. Some
guidelines for officials to use when officiating hand-checking:
a. When a defensive player keeps a hand or forearm on an opponent, it is a
personal foul.
b. When a defensive player puts two hands on an opponent, it is a personal foul.
c. When a defensive player continually jabs by extending his arm(s) and placing
a hand or forearm on the opponent, it is a personal foul.
d. When a defensive player uses an arm bar to impede the progress of a dribbler,
it is a personal foul.
111
Live
Live
Live or
Dead
Flagrant 2
Personal
Flagrant 2
Technical
Live
Player Control
Flagrant 1
Personal
Live (a
subset of
personal
fouls)
Common
Live
Live
Personal
Team Control
Ball
Status
Foul Name
Extreme unsporting
conduct (noncontact)
during a live ball or
severe/extreme contact
with an opponent during
a dead ball.
Severe or extreme
contact with an opponent
while the ball is live.
A personal foul that is
excessive, but not based
on the severity of the act.
Common foul committed
by player on team with
team control (See Rule
4-15).
Common foul committed
by a player when he
or she is in control of
the ball.
Personal when not
shooting, not flagrant,
or not part of a multiple,
double or simultaneous.
Committed by player,
illegal contact with an
opponent.
Description
Charged to
Offending
player
Offending
player, bench
personnel or
follower.
Ejection of offender, two free
throws.
Offending
player
Two free throws to offended
player.
Ejection of offender, two free
throws to offended player.
Offending
player
Offending
player
Offending
player
No free throw(s).
No free throw(s).
Free throw(s) to offended team
when in bonus, except for
player-control or team-control
foul.
Yes
No
(Men) Throw-in at designated spot at division
line to offended team.
(Women) Throw-in to offended team at point
of interruption.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Count
for
bonus
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Count
toward
DQ?
Throw-in to offended team at designated spot
nearest to where foul occurred.
Throw-in to offended team at designated spot
nearest to where the foul occurred.
Throw-in to offended team at designated spot.
Throw-in to offended team at designated spot.
Throw-in at designated spot to offended team
when not in bonus or when team-control or
player-control foul. When one-and-one, live
ball when a free throw is missed. When both
free throws are good, opposing team throw-in
from any point behind the end line.
Throw-in at a designated spot to an offended
team when not shooting or not in bonus or
when a player-control or team-control foul.
When there are free throw(s), throw-in to
opposing team after free throw(s) (from any
point behind the end line when last free-throw
is successful) or live ball.
Resumption of Play
FOUL/PENALTY CHART (APPENDIX IV)
Free throw(s) to offended player Offending
when shooting or when in
player
bonus, except for player-control
foul or team-control foul.
Penalty
Automatic
Automatic
No
No
No
No
No
Count
toward
ejection?
Appendix IV
Foul/Penalty Chart
Unsporting conduct.
Unsporting conduct by
bench personnel.
Live or
Dead
Live or
Dead
(Men) CLASS
A Technical
(Women)
Indirect
Technical
Two free throws.
Two free throws.
Head coach.
Player,
substitute,
coach, bench
personnel.
Player,
substitute,
coach, bench
personnel.
Two free throws.
Neither involves contact
nor causes contact with
an opponent. Falls below
limit of an unsporting act.
Live or
Dead
(Men) CLASS
B Technical
Charged to
Point of interruption.
Point of interruption. (Exceptions- Single
flagrant 2 or contact dead ball technical at the
division line to the offended team.)
Point of interruption.
(Women) Throw-in to the offended team at the
point of interruption.
(Men) Throw-in to offended team at division
line.
Resumption of Play
FOUL/PENALTY CHART (APPENDIX IV)
Offending
player.
Penalty
Contact with opponent
Two free throws.
that is excessive but does
not rise to the level of a
flagrant 2 foul.
Dead
Contact Dead
Ball Technical
Description
Ball
Status
Foul Name
No
Yes
No
Yes
Count
toward
DQ?
No
Yes
No
Yes
Count
for
bonus
Yes, after
three indirect
technicals or
a combination
of two indirects
and one direct.
After two
CLASS A
(AA) or one
CLASS A with
two CLASS
B technicals
(ABB)
Yes, after
three CLASS
B (BBB)
technicals or
a combination
of two Class B
and one Class
A (ABB).
(Women)
Yes, one of
two player/
substitute
technicals.
(Men) Yes,
one of two
CLASS A (AA)
technicals or
in combination
with two
CLASS B
technicals
(ABB).
Count
toward
ejection?
112
APPENDIX IV / FOUL/PENALTY CHART
Ball
Status
Live or
Dead
Live or
Dead
Live or
Dead
Live or
Dead
Live
Live
Foul Name
(Women)
Direct
Technical Foul
Administrative
Technical
Bench
Technical
(Women)
Player/
Substitute
(Women)
Double
Personal
Double
Flagrant 2
Personal
Two opponents commit
fouls against each other
at approximately the
same time.
Two opponents commit
fouls against each other
at approximately the
same time.
Unsporting conduct.
Unsporting conduct by
bench personnel.
Not specific to an
individual’s conduct.
Unsporting conduct of
head coach.
Description
Point of interruption.
Players
No free throws.
Point of interruption.
Point of interruption.
Point of interruption. (Exception: 10-1 Penalty
g)
Player or
substitute.
Squad
member,
coach, bench
personnel.
Point of interruption.
Point of interruption.
Resumption of Play
No free throws.(Exception: Rule Players
10-1 Penalty f)
Two free throws.
Two free throws.
Two free throws. (Exception:
10-2.2.a Penalty)
Head coach.
Charged to
FOUL/PENALTY CHART (APPENDIX IV)
Two free throws.
Penalty
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Count
toward
DQ?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Count
for
bonus
Yes
No
Yes, automatic
after two.
Yes, after
two direct or
three indirect
technicals or a
combination of
one direct and
two indirects
for head
coach only.
For others,
automatic after
two.
No
Automatic
after two or a
combination of
two indirects
and one direct.
Count
toward
ejection?
APPENDIX IV / FOUL/PENALTY CHART113
Two opponents commit
fouls against each other
at approximately the
same time.
Two opponents commit
fouls against each other
at approximately the
same time.
Two opponents commit
fouls against each other
at approximately the
same time.
Live
Live or
dead
Live or
dead
Dead
Live or
dead
Simultaneous
Personal
Double
Technical
Double
Flagrant 2
Technical
Double
Contact Dead
Ball Technical
Simultaneous
Technical
Occurs when there is a
technical foul committed
by each team at
approximately the same
time, not by opponents
against each other.
Committed by each team
at approximately the
same time but not by
opponents against each
other.
Two opponents commit
fouls against each other
at approximately the
same time
Live
Double
Flagrant 1
Personal
Description
Ball
Status
Foul Name
Players,
bench
personnel or
follower
Players,
bench
personnel or
follower
Players
and bench
personnel
Player, bench
personnel or
follower
No free throws when one of the
technicals is a flagrant 2.
No free throws.
No free throws.
No free throws when one of the
technicals is a flagrant 2.
Player
Players
Charged to
Yes
Point of interruption.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Men(Men)
CLASS A CLASS A
Yes
No
Point of interruption unless one of the
technicals is a flagrant 2 technical.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Count
for
bonus
(Men)
(Men)
CLASS A CLASS A
Yes
Yes
Yes
Count
toward
DQ?
Point of interruption.
Point of interruption unless one of the
technicals is a flagrant 2 technical.
Point of interruption. (Exception: 10-1 Penalty
f)
Point of interruption
Resumption of Play
FOUL/PENALTY CHART (APPENDIX IV)
No free throws.(Exception: Rule
10-1 Penalty f)
No free throws.
Penalty
Yes
Yes
Yes
(automatic)
Yes
No
No
Count
toward
ejection?
114
APPENDIX IV / FOUL/PENALTY CHART
Ball
Status
Live
Live or
dead
Live or
dead
Foul Name
Multiple
False Multiple
False Double
Fouls by both teams, the
second occurring before
the game clock is started
after it is stopped for
the first but an aspect of
double fouls is missing
Two or more fouls by the
same team such that the
last foul is committed
before the game clock is
started after it is stopped
for the first and such
that at least one of the
attributes of a multiple
foul is absent.
Two or more opponents
commit personal
fouls against the
same opponent at
approximately the same
time.
Description
Each fouls carries its own
penalty.
Each foul carries its own
penalty.
2. Unsuccessful 3-pt. try
1.flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 foul
Two free throws for each foul:
3. Successful 3-pt. try.
2. Successful or unsuccessful
2-pt. try
1.No try involved
One free throw for each foul:
Penalty
Player, bench
personnel or
follower
When one of the fouls is a single or double
technical (not flagrant) or any double personal
or simultaneous personal foul, point of
interruption.
When the last foul is a single flagrant
technical, a single contact dead ball technical,
or (women) administrative technical for
excessive timeouts, the ball shall be put into
play as though the last foul were the only one
administered.
When one of the fouls is a single or double
technical (not flagrant) or any double personal
or simultaneous personal foul, point of
interruption.
When the last foul is a single flagrant
technical, a single contact dead ball technical,
or (women) administrative technical for
excessive timeouts, the ball shall be put into
play as though the last foul were the only one
administered.
Administer free throw penalty. For teamcontrol fouls or flagrant fouls, throw-in
from designated spot.
Player
Player, bench
personnel or
follower
Resumption of Play
Charged to
FOUL/PENALTY CHART (APPENDIX IV)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Count
toward
DQ?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Count
for
bonus
No
No
No
Count
toward
ejection?
APPENDIX IV / FOUL/PENALTY CHART115
Appendix V
Major Rules
Differences
2011-12 MAJOR BASKETBALL RULES DIFFERENCES
(Men’s and Women’s)
ITEM
Blood/Contacts
NFHS
NCAA
Player with blood directed
to leave game (may
remain with charged
timeout); player with lost/
irritated contacts may
remain in the game with
reasonable time to correct
Women – Player with blood or lost/
irritated contact may remain in game
if remedied within 20 seconds or
charged timeout
Men – Same as Women, except
allows a reasonable time to correct
contact lens
Size
State option, 14-foot box
maximum
Extends from 28-foot mark to end line
Loss of Use
If coach is charged with
any technical foul
No rule
One warning for any
of four delay-of-game
situations; subsequent
delay for any of four –
technical foul
One warning for each delay-of-game
situation; subsequent delay for that
situation – technical foul
Players/Bench
Personnel
Disqualification – Fifth
personal
Ejection – Single flagrant;
second technical
Men – Same as NFHS, except
ejection on 2nd Class A or 3rd Class
B technical foul
Women – Same as NFHS
Player
Participates
after DQ
Direct technical foul
charged to head coach
Men – Flagrant 2 technical foul
charged to offender; also Class A to
head coach
Women – Flagrant 2 technical to
offender
Double Foul
Point of interruption for all
double fouls
Point of interruption for all double
fouls unless one of the fouls is a
flagrant foul
Fighting
Ejection
Ejection. One game suspension
followed by season suspension –
team and coaches
Coaching Box
Delay-of-Game
Warnings
Disqualification/
Ejection
NOTE: These differences do not include court markings; equipment; length of periods,
game and overtime; officials’ signals and mechanics, etc.
116
Appendix V / Major Rules Differences117
ITEM
NFHS
NCAA
Free-Throw
Men – If unable to attempt freethrows,
opposing coach selects from four
remaining players unless intentional
or flagrant foul
Women – Same as NFHS
Free-Thrower
Injured
Normal substitution
permitted
Players on
Lane
Either offense or defense
Same as NFHS
may occupy marked lane
spaces two or three, within
number limits
Restrictions Violation
Restrictions end when ball
touches ring or backboard
or free throw ends
Restrictions end on release of the ball
for players in marked lane spaces
Player touches the ball
during a try/tap while it
is in its downward flight
entirely above the basket
ring level and has the
possibility of entering the
basket in flight
Same as NFHS and includes a ball
that is touched after it contacts the
backboard when it is entirely above
the ring level is considered to be on
its downward flight
Goaltending
Guarding
Closely Guarded Holding or dribbling
in front court at 6-foot
distance
Men – Same as NFHS
Women – Holding only, front/back
court, 3-foot distance
Legal Position
May be established
anywhere on the court
Secondary defender may not
establish initial legal guarding
position in 3-foot restricted area
under the basket.
Jump Ball
Re-jump before team
control is established must
be by players involved
Re-jump before team control is
established may be by any two
players
Officials on Court
– Jurisdiction
Begins
Fifteen minutes before
start
Men- One at 30 minutes
Women - On floor at 15 min.
Both- One official must remain on the
court during pregame.
Player-Control Foul Includes airborne shooter
Men – No airborne shooter
Women – Same as NFHS
Player Out of
Bounds
Violation called as soon as Violation called when player returns
player leaves the court for and is first to touch ball inbounds
an unauthorized reason
Shot Clock
No rule
Men – 35 seconds
Women – 30 seconds
Stop Clock
No rule
After made basket with 59.9 seconds
or less in second half or overtime
NOTE: These differences do not include court markings; equipment; length of periods,
game and overtime; officials’ signals and mechanics, etc.
118
ITEM
Team-control Fouls
Appendix V / Major Rules Differences
NFHS
NCAA
Ball awarded out of
bounds (no bonus free
throws). Team control
exists during a throw-in
Same as NFHS
Types
Direct & Indirect – Only
applies to the head coach;
direct for his/her behavior,
indirect for penalty to
bench personnel
Men- Class A and Class B technical
fouls
Women- Same as NFHS
Both- Administrative technical fouls
Count Toward
Team-foul total
Disqualification – five
personal fouls (all team
members)
Ejection – two technical
fouls (all team personnel)
Men- Class A count toward team-foul
total, disqualification and ejection,
Class B count toward ejection
Women- Same as NFHS
Both- Administrative technical fouls
do not count toward team-foul total,
disqualification or ejection
Resuming Play
Throw-in to offended team
opposite table
Point of interruption, except
Men- Throw-in to offended team at
division line for flagrant 2 and contact
dead ball technical fouls
Women- Throw-in to offended team
at point of interruption for flagrant 2
and contact dead ball technical fouls
and for an excessive time-out
Ten-Second Rule
Must advance from back
court
Men- Same as NFHS
Women- No rule
Throw-in –
Opponent
Crosses Plane
May not cross boundary
plane until ball has been
released by thrower
– violation and team
warning, followed by
technical foul
Men- May not cross boundary plane
until ball has crossed boundary plane
– violation
Women- May not cross boundary
plane until ball has crossed boundary
plane- team warning followed by
technical foul
Excessive
Technical foul
Men- Two shots and point of
interruption
Women- Two shots and throw-in
to offended team at the point of
interruption
Number &
Length
Three 60-second and two
30-second timeouts per
game
Media – Four 30-second and one
60-second
Non-Media – Four 75-second and
two 30-second
Reduction
Reduced if both teams are
ready
Reduced if calling team notifies official
(non-media only)
Request
Recognized when a player
is in control
Shall not be recognized when an
airborne player’s momentum carries
him/her out-of-bounds or into back
court
Technical Fouls
Timeout(s)
NOTE: These differences do not include court markings; equipment; length of periods,
game and overtime; officials’ signals and mechanics, etc.
Appendix V / Major Rules Differences119
ITEM
NFHS
NCAA
Technical foul for failure to
have all players return at
approximately the same
time
No rule
TV Replay Monitor
Authorized by state
association for gameending situations in state
tournament contests
Permitted for specific game situations
Unconscious
Player
No return without M.D. or
D.O. authorization
No rule. NCAA requires a concussion
plan.
Color of Jersey
Home shall wear white
and visitor contrasting
dark
Home shall wear light and visitor
contrasting dark, except altered by
mutual consent
Jersey Design
Torso defined by area
from base of neckline to
bottom of jersey and from
side insert to side insert;
no design restrictions
outside torso
Neutral zone measured 5 inches from
top of shoulder to bottom of jersey
and 12 inches in width from center of
neckline (front and back); no design
restrictions outside neutral zone;only
player/institutional name and player
number and 15% tonal color shift
permitted in neutral zone; no design
restrictions outside the neutral zone.
Pants/Shorts
No rule
Must be the same predominant color
of the neutral zone
Undershirt
Individual player must
have same length sleeves
May not extend below the elbow and
be a color similar to that of the game
jersey.
Arm-compression Sleeve
White, black, beige or
solid school color
No color restrictions
Headband/
Wristbands
White, black, beige or
solid school color
White, black, beige or jersey color
Worn
Jerseys designed to be
Jerseys worn outside the game pants
worn outside the game
prohibited; no rule regarding removal
pants permitted; jerseys/
pants may not be removed
within visual confines of
playing area
Penalty for
illegal jersey/
number
Direct technical foul
charged to head coach
Administrative technical foul
Illegal to use during the
game or intermission for
coaching
Illegal only at courtside
Return From
Uniforms
Videotape
NOTE: These differences do not include court markings; equipment; length of periods,
game and overtime; officials’ signals and mechanics, etc.
Team
Timeouts
1st Half
Team
Timeouts
2nd Half
Any not
NO electronic- Four
used in first
media timeout 75-second
half.
and two
format
30-second
timeouts per
team per
regulation
game. All
carry over
to second
half if not
used in first
half.
Type of
Game
Electronic Media
Timeouts 1st Half
Any not used None
in regulation
or any
prior extra
period(s)
plus one
75-second
timeout per
team for
each extra
period.
Team
Timeouts
Extra
Periods
None
Electronic Media
Timeouts 2nd Half
None
Media
Timeouts
Extra
Periods
Appendix VI
Timeout
Comparison Chart
120
Electronicmedia timeout
format with
FEWER
THAN three
electronicmedia
timeouts in
one half.
Type of
Game
Team
Timeouts
2nd Half
Any not
Four
used in first
75-second
half.
and two
30-second
timeouts per
team per
regulation
game. All
carry over
to second
half if not
used in first
half.
Team
Timeouts
1st Half
None
Either none, one
or two depending
on the media
agreement. Length
determined by
media agreement.
Each shall occur at
the first dead ball
after the minute
mark specified in the
media agreement.
When either team
uses a 75-second
timeout in the half,
that timeout replaces
the next agreedupon media timeout
of the half. First
team-called timeout
of second half
becomes the media
timeout.
Either none, one
or two depending
on the media
agreement.
Length determined
by media
agreement. Each
shall occur at the
first dead ball after
the minute mark
specified in the
media agreement.
When either team
uses a 75-second
timeout in the
half, that timeout
replaces the next
agreed-upon
media timeout of
the half.
Any not used
in regulation
or any
prior extra
period(s)
plus one
75-second
timeout per
team for
each extra
period.
Media
Timeouts
Extra
Periods
Electronic Media
Timeouts 2nd Half
Electronic Media
Timeouts 1st Half
Team
Timeouts
Extra
Periods
Appendix VI / Timeout
Comparison Chart121
Media
Timeouts
Extra
Periods
The first
team-called
timeout
in each
period may
become
a media
timeout, if
that is part
of the media
agreement.
Electronic Media
Timeouts 2nd Half
When using THREE
electronic-media
timeouts, they occur
after the 15-, 10and 5-minute marks,
depending on the
media agreement.
When using FOUR
electronic-media
timeouts, they occur
after the 16-, 12-, 8and 4-minute marks.
The first timeout
called by either team
in this half only shall
become a media
timeout, the length
of which shall be at
75 seconds or the
length determined by
media agreement.
Neither team’s
60-second timeout
can be extended by
media agreement.
Electronic Media
Timeouts 1st Half
When using
THREE electronicmedia timeouts,
they occur after
the 15-, 10- and
5-minute marks,
depending on the
media agreement
When using FOUR
electronic-media
timeouts, they
occur after the
16-, 12-, 8- and
4-minute marks.
Neither team’s
60-second timeout
can be extended
by media
agreement.
Team
Timeouts
Extra
Periods
Any not used
in regulation,
second
half or any
previous
extra
period(s) plus
one extra
30-second
timeout per
team per
extra period.
Team
Timeouts
2nd Half
Each team
carries over
any unused
timeouts
from the
first half but
can carry
no more
than three
30-second
timeouts
each. The
fourth is lost
if it was not
used in the
first half.
Team
Timeouts
1st Half
Four
30-second
timeouts
and one
60-second
timeout per
team.
Type of
Game
Electronicmedia timeout
format with AT
LEAST three
electronicmedia
timeouts in
either half.
122
Appendix VI / Timeout
Comparison Chart
Appendix VII
Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury that may be caused by a blow to the head, face,
neck or elsewhere on the body with an “impulsive” force transmitted to the head.
Concussions can occur without loss of consciousness or other obvious signs. A
repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the previous one
(hours, days or weeks) can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having
long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in brain swelling,
permanent brain damage, and even death.
Recognize and Refer: To help recognize a concussion, watch for the following
two events among your student-athletes during both meets and practices:
1. A forceful blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the
head.
-AND2. Any change in the student-athlete’s behavior, thinking, or physical functioning
(see signs and symptoms).
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs Observed by Coaching Staff
Symptoms Reported by
Student-Athlete
• Headache or “pressure” in head.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Balance problems or dizziness.
• Double or blurry vision.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Sensitivity to noise.
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy.
• Concentration or memory problems.
• Confusion.
• Does not “feel right.”
• Appears dazed or stunned.
• Is unsure of score or opponent.
• Moves clumsily.
• Answers questions slowly.
• Loses consciousness (even briefly).
• Shows behavior or personality changes.
• Can’t recall events before hit or fall.
• Can’t recall events after hit or fall.
An athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a
concussion, either at rest or during exertion, should be removed immediately
from practice or competition and should not return to play until cleared by an
appropriate health care professional.
IF A CONCUSSION IS SUSPECTED:
1. Remove the student-athlete from play. Look for the signs and symptoms
of concussion if your student-athlete has experienced a blow to the head. Do
not allow the student-athlete to just “shake it off.” Each individual athlete will
respond to concussions differently.
2. Ensure that the student-athlete is evaluated right away by an appropriate
health care professional. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury
yourself. Immediately refer the student-athlete to the appropriate athletics
123
124
APPENDIX VII / CONCUSSIONS
medical staff, such as a certified athletic trainer, team physician or health care
professional experienced in concussion evaluation and management.
3. Allow the student-athlete to return to play only with permission from
a health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion.
Allow athletics medical staff to rely on their clinical skills and protocols
in evaluating the athlete to establish the appropriate time to return to play.
A return-to-action progression should occur in an individualized, step-wise
fashion with gradual increments in physical exertion and risk of contact.
Follow your institution’s physician supervised concussion management
protocol.
4. Develop a game plan. Student-athletes should not return to play until cleared
by the appropriate athletics medical staff. In fact, as concussion management
continues to evolve with new science, the care is becoming more conservative
and return-to-play time frames are getting longer. Coaches should have a game
plan that accounts for student-athletes to be out for at least the remainder of
the day.
For further details please refer to the “NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook
Guideline on Concussions” or online at www.NCAA.org/health-safety and
www.CDC.gov/Concussion.
Appendix VIII
Official Men’s
Basketball Signals
125
126
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals127
128
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals129
130
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals131
132
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals133
134
Appendix VIII / Official Men’s Basketball Signals
Appendix IX
Official Women’s
Basketball Signals
135
136
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals137
138
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals139
140
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals141
142
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals
Appendix IX / Official Women’s Basketball Signals143
Index to Rules
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
Page
A
Act of shooting (4–71)�� 64
Airborne shooter, definition (4–1)�� 45
Alternating possession procedure
center jump (6–2–2)��75
definition (4–2)��45
situations (6–3)��75
B
Backboards
see equipment��23
Back Court
definition (4–3.1)��45
violation (9–12)��89
Ball
see equipment��25
Basket
definition (4–4)��46
see equipment��24
Basket interference
definition (4–5)��46
penalties (9–17)��90
violations (9–16)��90
Batting the ball
definition (4–6)��46
Beginning/end of period
(see period)��67
Bench Area
bench - area restrictions (10–4)��97
(10–6)�� 102
penalty (10–4)��97
(10–6)�� 102
Benches, team (1–20)�� 27
Bench personnel, definition (4–8)�� 47
Bleeding (5–10.8)�� 69
Blocking/charging (4–9)�� 47
Bonus free throw (4–11)�� 47
Boundary lines (1–3.1)�� 20
definition (4–11)��47
C
Charging/blocking (4–10)�� 47
Clock, game,
display (1–17)��26
shot clocks (1–18)��26
starting game (5–9)��68
stopping game (5–10)��69
Closely guarded, definition (4–13)�� 47
Continuous motion, definition (4–14)�� 48
Control
alternating-possession procedure, definition (4–15.6)��48
player (4–15.1)��48
team (4–15.2)��48
Correctable errors (2–12)�� 34
Court/markings
center circle (1–4)��21
coaching box (1–8)��23
dimensions (1–2.1)��20
division line (half court) (1–5)��21
end lines (1–3.1)��20
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
Page
free-throw lane markings (1–6)��21
lines, other markings (1–3)��20
logos/names (1–16)��26
three-point field - goal line (1–7)��21
Courtside monitor (2–13)�� 35
Cylinder, definition (4–16)�� 48
D
Dead ball
becomes or remains (6–5)��76
does not become dead (6–6)��77
Delays,
definition (4–17)��48
penalty (10–2.1)��95
Designated spot, definition (4–18)�� 49
Disposal of ball
definition (4–19)��49
free-thrower (8–1.2)��82
Disqualified player, definition (4–20)�� 49
Dribble
definition (4–21)��50
double dribble (9–7)��88
interrupted dribble (4–21.5)��50
Dunk, definition (4–22)�� 50
E
Ejection, definition (4–23)�� 50
Elastic power (2–3)�� 28
Entering player (4–24)�� 51
Equipment
backboards
dimensions, materials (1–9)��23
LED lights (1–17.4)��26
logos/names (1–16)��26
padding (1–10)��23
positions (1–12)��24
red light (1–17.4)��26
support systems (1–11)��23
ball
logos/names (1–16.2,3)��26
provided by (1–15.10)��25
specifications (1–15)��25
baskets
material (1–13)��24
position (1–12)��24
ring (1–14)��24
size (1–13)��24
game - clock display (1–17)��26
logos/names/equipment (1–16)��26
players’ (3–9)��43
possession indicator (1–19)��27
scoreboard (1–17)��26
scorers’/timers’ table (1–20)��27
shot-clock display (1–18)��26
team benches (1–20)��27
testing and approval (1–14)��25
Excessive timeouts (10–2.8)�� 95
Extra period
definition (4–25)��51
timeouts (5–13)��71
timing (5–8.2)��68
144
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
145
Page
F
Fighting
definition (4–26)��51
penalty (10–3.16)��97
(10–4.8,9)��99
(10–5)�� 100
reporting procedures (Appendix I)�� 105
suspensions (10–7)�� 104
Follower
defined (4–27)��51
Followers
technical foul (10–2.9 )��95
Forfeit
definition (4–28)��51
scoring (5–3)��67
statistics (5–3.1)��67
technical foul forfeiture (10–1)�� 104
Foul
common (4–29.2)��52
definition (4–29)��52
disqualified player (4–20)��49
double personal (4–29.2)��52
double technical (4–29.3)��53
false double (4–29.4)��54
false multiple (4–29.6)��54
flagrant 1 personal (4–29.2)��53
flagrant 2 personal (4–29.2)��53
flagrant 2 technical (4–29.3)��53
multiple (4–29.5)��54
personal (4–29.2)��52
player control (4–29.2)��52
simultaneous personal (4–29.2)��53
simultaneous technical (4–29.3)��54
team control (4–29.2)��52
technical (4–29.3)��53
Free throw
10-second limit (8–3)��83
ball in play
after false double foul (8–6)��84
after false multiple foul (8–7)��84
when missed (8–5)��84
bonus (4–11)��47
injured player (men) (3–4.17)��
lane markings (1–6)��21
line markings (1–3)��20
multiple (4–47)��59
next play (8–4)��83
positions during attempt (8–1)��82
provisions (9–1)��85
violation penalties (9–2)��86
by each team, not simultaneous (9–2.4)�86
by each team, simultaneous (9–2.5)��86
by free-thrower (9–2.1)��86
by free-thrower’s team (9–2.1)��86
by opponent (9–2.2)��86
who attempts (8–2)��82
personal fouls (8–2.1)��82
substitute (8–2.2)��82
technical fouls (8–2.4)��83
Front court/back court
definition (4–3)��45
violation (9–12)��89
Fumble, definition (4–31)�� 54
G
Game
how started (6–1)��75
objective (1–1)��20
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
Page
Goal, definition (4–33)�� 54
Goaltending
definition (4–34)��54
penalties (9–17)��90
situations (9–16)��90
Guarding
definition (4–35)��55
legal position (4–35)��55
on person with ball (4–35.4)��55
on person without ball (4–35.5)��55
H
Hands/arms, legal use (4–36)�� 56
Held ball
alternating-possession situations (6–3)��75
definition (4–37)��57
Holding (4–38)�� 57
I
Inadvertent whistle (4–39)�� 57
Incidental contact (4–40)�� 57
Interrupted game (5–4)�� 67
J
Jump ball
definition (4–42)��58
position for (6–4)��76
violation (9–8.1)��88
Jumpers, definition (4–43)�� 58
Jump stop (4–44)�� 58
K
Kicking the ball (4–45)�� 58
L
Live ball (6)�� 75
Location of player (4–46)�� 58
Logos/names
backboard (1–16.1)��26
ball (1–16.2,3)��26
court, commercial (1–16.5)��26
N
No contest/forfeit (4–28)�� 51
Noisemakers, artificial (10–2.9)�� 95
O
Officials
approval of score (2–6.9)��29
correctable errors (2–12)��34
duties related to conduct (2–8)��30
duties related to game (2–7)��29
duties with replay/TV equipment (2–13)��35
elastic power (2–3)��28
jurisdiction (2–4)��28
referee
duties during game (2–6)��29
duties pregame (2–5)��29
replay, use of (2–13.2)��35
scorer duties (2–9)��30
shot-clock operator duties (2–11)��33
signals
fouls (2–9.11)��31
illustrated (men)�� 125
illustrated (women)�� 135
officials’ duty (2–7)��29
throw-ins (2–7.14)��30
television monitors (2–13)��35
timer’s duties (2–10)��31
146
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
Page
umpires (2–1.1)��28
when decisions differ (2–2.5)��28
Out of bounds
ball (7–1.2)��78
ball awarded (7–4)��78
ball caused to go out (7–2)��78
ball in play from (7–5)��79
ball touched simultaneously/officials’ doubt
(7–3)��78
player (7–1.1)��78
violation (9–4)��87
Overtime (see extra period) (5–8)�� 68
P
Pass (4–48)�� 59
Penalty (4–49)�� 59
Periods
beginning (5–7.1)��67
end (5–7.2)��67
how started (6–1)��75
length of (5–6)��67
Personal foul
by dribbler (10–1.8)��91
by players (10–1)��91
by screener (10–1.14)��92
penalties (10–1)��91
exception (10–1)��93
free throws (10–1)��92
Pivot (4–50)�� 59
Player
defined (4–51)��59
number of players (10–2.7)��
penalty (10–3)��97
tarting lineup/squad list (10–2.2)��
Point of interruption, definition (4–53)�� 59
Post player (4–54)�� 60
Protests (5–5)�� 67
R
Rebound (4–55)�� 60
Replay equipment (2–13)�� 35
Restricted Area (4-56)�� 60
Restricted Area Arc (1-8)�� 23
Resumption of play (4–56)�� 61
Rule (4–57)�� 61
S
Scoreboard (1–17)�� 26
Scorebook (4–58)�� 61
Scorer duties (2–9)�� 30
Scoring
effect of game clock running (5–1.4)��66
free throw (5–1.6)��66
opponent’s basket (5–1.2)��66
player-control foul, women (5–1.7)��66
points awarded for infractions (5–1.8)��66
three-point goal (5–1.2)��66
two-point goal (5–1.1)��66
Screen
definition (4–60)��61
personal foul (10–1)��91
Secondary defender
definition (4–61)�� 62
guarding (4-35.7)��56
Restricted Area (4-56)��60
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
Page
Shooter (4–62)�� 62
Shot clock
definition (4–63)��62
display (1–18)��26
duties of operator (2–11)��33
reset, when to stop and (2–11.6)��33
stopping, no reset (2–11.7)��33
violation (9–11)��89
Shot-clock try (4–65)�� 62
Substitute
definition (4–66)��62
entry into game (3–4)��38
technical foul (10–3.12)��97
Suspensions. (10–7)�� 104
T
Tap (4–65)�� 62
Team
captain (3–2)��38
composition (3–1)��38
lineup (3–3)��38
member, definition (4–66)��63
Technical foul (10–7)�� 104
administrative (10–2)��93
bench (10–4)��97
CLASS A (men) (10–5)�� 100
CLASS B (men) (10–6)�� 102
double flagrant (10–4.8)��99
double technical (4–29.3.e)��53
flagrant 2 (4-29.3)��53
indirect/direct (women) (4–29.3.d)��53
player/substitute (women) (10–3)��96
simultaneous (4-29.3)��54
suspensions (10–7)�� 104
Television replay equipment (10–6.2)�� 103
10-second violation (9–10)�� 89
Three-second lane (4–67)�� 63
Three-second violation (9–9)�� 88
Throw-in
count (7–6.1)��81
definition (4–70)��63
end of (7–6.2)��81
resumption of play (7–5)��79
start (7–6.1)��81
violation (9–5)��87
Tie score (5–8.1)�� 68
Timeout
30-second (5–13.3)��71
charged (5–13)��71
electronic media, at least three/half
(5–13.10)��72
electronic media, fewer than three/half
(5–13.9)��72
electronic media, lack of (5–13.8)��71
excessive (5–15)��74
excessive (penalty) (10–2.8)��95
injury (5–13.12)��73
length (5–13)��71
not charged (5–14)��74
not granted (5–12)��70
number allowed (5–13)��71
starting clocks (5–9)��68
stopping clocks (5–10)��69
successive (5–13.13)��73
television (5–13.9)��72
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
147
Page
who requests (5–13.1)��71
Traveling
definition (4–72)��63
establishing pivot foot (4–70.3)��63
violation (9–6)��88
Try for goal
airborne shooter exception (4–71.7)��64
definition (4–71)��64
U
Uniforms
color, opposing teams (3–5.2)��40
commemorative patches (3–5.5)��
decorations (3–5.6)��42
definition (4–74)��64
game jerseys (3–5)��40
headbands (3–7)��43
logos/labels/trademarks (3–8)��43
names, team or player (3–5.5)��41
neutral zone (3–5.3)��41
numbers (3–5.5)��41
pants, game (3–5)��40
tonal shift (3–5.3)��41
undergarments (3–6)��42
undershirts (3–6)��42
wristbands (3–7)��43
Unsportsmanlike conduct
definition (4–75)��64
official’s penalty, bench
personnel (men) (10–5.2)�� 101
personnel (women) (10–4)��97
official’s penalty, followers (10–2.9)��95
official’s penalty, players
(10–3)��96
(10–5)�� 100
V
Verticality
components (4–74)��64
definition (4–74)��64
Violations/penalties
10-second rule (9–10)��89
back court (9–12)��89
ball out of bounds (9–3)��87
basket, ball through from below (9–6)��88
basket interference (9–16)��90
penalties (9–17)��90
cell phones
(men) (10–6.2)�� 103
(women) (10–4.2)��98
closely guarded (9–14)��89
definition of violation (4–77)��65
double dribble (9–7)��88
elbow(s) (9–13)��89
fist (9–6)��88
floor-violation penalties (9–15)��89
free-throw
provisions (9–1)��85
violation penalties (9–2)��86
goaltending (9–16)��90
penalties (9–17)��90
headsets (10–4.2)��98
jump ball (9–8)��88
kick (9–6)��88
player out of bounds (9–4)��87
shot clock (9–11)��89
three-second rule (9–9)��88
throw-in provisions (9–5)��87
Term (Rule–Section.Article)
Page
traveling (9–6)��88
W
Warm-ups (4–76)�� 65
Winning team (5–2)�� 66
Sportsmanship is a core value of the NCAA.
The NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship
and Ethical Conduct has identified respect
and integrity as two critical elements
of sportsmanship and launched an awareness
and action campaign at the
NCAA Convention in January 2009.
Athletics administrators may download materials
and view best practices ideas at the website below:
www.NCAA.org, then click on “Student-Athlete
Programs,” then “Sportsmanship” and select the
“Resources/Best Practices” tab.
The NCAA salutes the more than
430,000 student-athletes
23 sports at
more than 1,200 member institutions
participating in
NCAA 78900-4/11
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